By Sally Stovall

Join the workday for the Student Citizen Science Monarch Ecological Engineering Project beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday, April 28, and continuing throughout the day at the Morton Freshman Center, 1801 South 55th Ave., in Cicero. Stay for just the morning, the afternoon, or all day.

This monarch butterfly habitat project was spearheaded by Morton High School science teacher, Kevin O'Toole. Using next generation science standards and engineering design standards about 100 high school freshmen designed a 5000 square foot monarch butterfly habitat which they will now build with help from you!

Volunteers are needed to build the following: benches, pavilion or gazebo, garden arbor, compost bin, garden trellis, Peace Pole, and more. Donations of mulch, crushed gravel, river rocks, stones for pathways, wood for benches, and native plants are also appreciated. Sign up for exactly how you want to help at this link.

On Saturday, there will be stations set up with small group projects based on a checklist. For example, one station will assemble wooden benches, while another will make a dry creek bed.

Follow updates on this project at Twitter: @bio_otoole. Contact Kevin O'Toole by email: kevot23@gmail.com