Schooled lichens
Create the first international schools’ monitoring network for lichen through this collaboration between students, teachers and researchers.
- Languages:
- All EU languages
- Ages:
- 15-18
- School subject:
- Natural sciences
- Format:
- Video
- Research field:
- Environment and Geosciences
Learn how to become a lichen scientist and contribute to lichen research with your class! Explore and share your observations on iNature.org.
Today, global changes are affecting nature. The high rate at which we use the Earth’s supplies for a growing population is increasing pollution and climate change effects.
In these times, it is important that we measure these changes in nature to understand their effects. This will help when taking action to protect ecosystems. Lichens can help us do just that.
Lichens can survive in the harshest conditions. They are also great bioindicators, meaning that, their response to environmental changes let us know how the world and climate are changing.
This collaborative effort between students, teachers and researchers will create the first international schools’ monitoring network for lichen.
Baseline status
It will provide a baseline lichen status to compare with future samplings, that will alert researchers of potential environmental impacts in schools’ surroundings at the international level.
Watch the short video to find out what lichens are
Discover how important lichen are for measuring environmental conditions. Find out how you can contribute to scientific research.
Resources
- The booklet has useful information about some simple experimental procedures you can apply to monitor lichens with your class. It helps to navigate through the learning process. Download the booklet (in English).
- Share your data with the researchers at changinglichens@gmail.com
- Share your data with the schools lichen project on iNaturalist.
Information for teachers
- Activity duration: Long term activity
- Recommended group size: Any
- Recommended location: Indoors, a classroom at school, and outdoors for data collection.
- Preparation by teacher needed: Yes
- Additional materials needed: Yes, check the booklet.