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Middle School Biology Department: 6th Graders Creating Taxonomic Keys

December 7, 2021

Recently, students in 6th grade have been learning about taxonomy, binomial nomenclature, and taxonomic keys in their science classes. For the students to further understand these topics, the teachers arranged an experiment for them. Taxonomic keys are keys that consist of paired statements and physical characteristics of different organisms. They are used to identify unknown organisms. For this experiment, students were required to create their taxonomic keys by observing organisms on campus.

On December 2, students set out. They were instructed to carefully observe the various plants and animals on campus and note the differences in their physical traits. They were ready to take on this task. The teachers took the students around campus and identified some common plants, such as ginkgoes, Buerger maples, deodars, London plane trees, and others. Students enjoyed finding four-leafed clovers, hawthorns,and pomegranates.

Through this real-life application of the knowledge, students have learned in class and mastered one more scientific idea learned this year in 6th-grade science class.

(Written by Rongzhang Hu , Michael Martin Pictures by Rongzhang Hu Edited by Huang Shiyuan, Brie Polette)