We love reviewing the creative and thoughtful grant requests Manor ISD educators submit each Fall, and one request truly soared for its ability to bring hands-on science education to students while fostering a deeper appreciation for nature. Mr. Joseph Mitchell, the 5th grade science teacher at Bluebonnet Trails Elementary, was awarded a grant for the “Purple Martin Project,” which involved building and studying purple martin nests.
Mr. Mitchell’s unique project engaged students in both constructing the optimal purple martin house and researching the biology of these beautiful migratory birds. Students studied purple martin nesting habits, chose the best location on campus for installation, and used high-quality binoculars to monitor the birds’ behavior throughout the season. With the help of Travis Audubon and the Capital Area Master Naturalists, Mr. Mitchell ensured that students had access to local expertise and rich educational resources. We were thrilled to sit down with Mr. Mitchell to learn more about his project and how he helps every student’s scientific abilities take flight!
This is such a wonderful and creative project! What was the inspiration behind it?
I love teaching kids science, and especially natural science. Kids are so familiar with fast-paced tech these days. I like to give them the opportunity to slow down and observe the world around them. I find that birds are a great way to do this, because they are loud, bright and can soar, just like students!
Can you tell us more about the project?
We put up a purple martin house for birds. Students helped design where to put this and helped monitor birds once they started to visit the site. This project let students see that they CAN have an impact on the world around them, and that they CAN make a difference!
Do you have a favorite success story from this project?
The purple martins arrived on March 10th. The students have been obsessed with them ever since. They liked birds and the outdoors before, but now, they eagerly point to the sky and try to identify most of our feathered friends.
What do the Manor Schoolhouse Foundation innovation grants mean to you?
These grants allow teachers to do something more with their students. They allow teachers to dream. I love that they are only for Manor, so someone local is going to win. Since winning this grant, I have applied for others. I hung the check in my classroom and point to it at least once a week (if not once a day!). It makes my students proud to know that their school district supports their teacher's crazy idea to bring more nature to school.
