Learning Lichens
Lichens can be studied every season of the year and in nearly every location. Learning Lichens will introduce high school and advanced middle school students to intriguing lichen ecology, identification, and values to humans. Teachers can use these lessons to help students develop their observational, research design, and field inventory skills. Students will also be able to relate lichen ecology to its valuable use as a bioindicator of air quality and old growth habitat.
The curriculum includes 4 lessons, student data sheets and protocols, teacher notes, and instructional PowerPoints for teachers and students. Everything needed for the field inventory lesson is included in a kit that can be borrowed from the White Mountain National Forest. Learning Lichens has been developed and field tested by high school ecology teacher, Sarah Thorne and her students at Prospect Mt. High School in Alton, NH.