Dommerich Elementary School, Maitland, Florida

          We compared our findings from Ms. Metcalf’s class in Maitland, Florida, with data from Ms. Foust’s class in Yokosuka, Japan, and we found both similarities and differences.  We chose to look at the findings from Ms. Foust’s class because they posted their results on the same day that we did.  It was really interesting to learn that they have typhoons there, which we call hurricanes in Florida, and we think that has an effect on the ecosystems in both places.  We were amazed to learn that they have roly-poly bugs in Japan just like we do in Florida.  There were other similar insects as well, such as spiders, worms, and flying insects.  There were weeds, grasses, and bushes in both ecosystems.  At the Japanese school, the students found only one large tree within their squares of life, but we had several kinds (oak, pine, magnolia, citrus, and palm trees).  We thought it was really cool that the Japanese school had a pond with a turtle in it and we wish we did, too.  Of course, there was dirt in both ecosystems, but the students in Japan found a large rock while we only found small ones.   Unfortunately, we both found some pollution.   In general, it seemed like the Florida squares of life had a greater variety of plant and animal species.  This may be partly due to climate (we have pretty mild winters) and partly due to the fact that the school in Japan is in a more urban area than our own so there is less room for wildlife.