This week the third graders were introduced to their first environmental science project. Through a partnership with an organization called Amigos Alados, students will be studying six birds who migrate along the Pacific Flyway. They will conduct research and observations in class and will share their learning with students from afar via a pen pal program. The third-grade classes are part of a tri-national team and will be learning alongside a class of third-grade students in the Bay Area, as well as, a class of second-grade students from the state of Jalisco in Mexico. This week students participated in a live "virtual" presentation from Amigos Alados and learned about their partner schools, the birds they will be studying, and what to expect from the pen pal program. Students also voted on their top birds and are eagerly awaiting placement on their bird teams. Each of the six bird teams will be made up of students from each school and will give students an opportunity to work collaboratively on their project. The focus on collaboration, research and conservation will hopefully encourage students and the community to be stewards of these amazing birds.