The little prairie by the schoolhouse

Franklin - Sharon Hushek's 58 science students are saving the earth, one ecosystem at a time.

The Ben Franklin Elementary School fifth-graders are in the process of restoring Ben's Backyard, a prairie along the contours of the school by the playground. The prairie was created when the school was built, about 10 years ago.

"We decided to save the prairie because they were going to mow it down this year," said student Sydney Pierangeli, 11.

The yearlong project is part of the Disney Planet Challenge, said Hushek.

"We had to come up with an environmental issue," she said. "By the end of the year, they'll have that prairie restored."

In the process, they will learn about soil composition, different species of prairie grasses and flowers, different insects of the habitat, and more.

"I've heard at least 20 different species named," said parent volunteer Mysie Sabin, such as New England aster, cone flowers and switch grass.

Part of the project involves creating a children's book for the school's younger students to learn about the importance of this endangered ecosystem; only 1 percent of the country's prairie land remains.

It also includes creating a PowerPoint presentation for next year's fifth-graders, so they can continue the work of maintaining the site.

"They are definitely learning, I would say, communication skills," Sabin said. "They're learning how to work together.

"I'm seeing an environmental awareness," Sabin said. "They've tested the pH level and done several chemical tests on the soil to make sure it's good. They have learned about what the plants need as far as the root system, sunlight."

The students are also learning how to do research. They've called experts from, for instance, the Wehr Nature Center and Tallgrass Restoration LLC, for advice and information.

"This is kid-driven," Sabin said.

And deadline-driven. Hushek said the students must submit a portfolio showcasing their work by Feb. 15 to the Disney Planet Challenge to be eligible for the grand prize: $10,000 to continue the prairie restoration work and a class trip to Disney World. The winners will be announced in March.

But their work won't be complete, win or lose. Once the school's prairie is restored, the science students will focus their attention to tending the Hickory Forest, a rare Wisconsin ecosystem with 100-year-old trees, and wetlands on the school property.

"My hope at the end of this is that the younger students will take care of the prairie and keep it alive," said Pierangeli.