Objectives 
In this lesson, students will: 

• Locate and collect data on wildlife in the four geographic areas
• Chart data in Excel spreadsheet
• Graph frequency of wildlife near the school
• Research animals cited

Time Frame
Data collection- 2 weeks at 10 minutes per day

Materials
1. Computer and Internet connection 
2. E-mail account
3.  Poster board
4.  Markers

Procedure
1. Instruct students to compare the wildlife in and near their school to wildlife found around four other schools located in distinct geographical areas in the country.
2. Locate 4 schools of different geographical locations utilizing a school database search engine such as:
Web 66 US Schools  http://web66.coled.umn.edu/schools/US/USA.html 
American School Directory  http://www.asd.com/ 

3.  Draft a letter that explains the project.  Send email to the selected schools.  Ask for a response within a certain number of days.
4.  After confirmation that the school will participate, provide instructions on how exactly to count the animals in the designated area.  
5.  Chart and graph information gathered from the schools.
6.  Research and download images of animals cited and create posters of information gathered.
7.  In summary point out to students how the Internet brought classrooms together in this project.