Complex Problem Solving and Imperfect Solutions
Restoring Native Prairies
Upper School’s Conservation Biology class hopes to make an environmental impact by restoring native plants on the 2,500 square foot prairie lies behind the softball field.
The class partners with the Trinity River Audubon Center (TRAC). During monthly field trips to the nature reserve, specialists at TRAC teach students about the restoration process of a prairie. Science teacher Jessie Crowley created the course to delve deeper into questions students have and the resultant projects rather than being restricted to AP curriculum.
Students begin by researching the flora that inhabits a Blackland prairie, the ecosystem before Hockaday existed. They visit the Clymer Meadow Preserve, an intact Blackland prairie, and talk to specialists about how they manage their property. Students propagate plants and place them back into the habitat for restoration, remove invasive species to increase plant diversity and introduce native plants. These plants are pollinated by the nearby Hockaday beehive.
"I hope that students walk away more informed consumers and also have an appreciation for the natural world," she said. "Because if you don’t have that appreciation, you’re not going to be interested in saving it."
Students begin by researching the flora that inhabits a Blackland prairie, the ecosystem before Hockaday existed. They visit the Clymer Meadow Preserve, an intact Blackland prairie, and talk to specialists about how they manage their property. Students propagate plants and place them back into the habitat for restoration, remove invasive species to increase plant diversity and introduce native plants. These plants are pollinated by the nearby Hockaday beehive.
The Hockaday School
Within the private school community, The Hockaday School is an independent college-preparatory day school for girls from grades PK–12 located in Dallas, Texas. Students realize their limitless potential through challenging academic curricula, arts, athletics, and extracurricular programs so that they are inspired to lead lives of purpose and impact.