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Breadscrumb

Field Study Tour

Water

		Anadromous Fish Students study the life cycle of anadromous fish such and discuss the challenges facing migrating salmon.
		Aquatic Life Survey (Critter Catch) Students collect, count and identify aquatic life specimens and discuss adaptations and niche of the animals.
		Carbon Dioxide Students test the CO2 level of an aquatic habitat and discuss the role of CO2 in water quality.
		Dissolved Oxygen / Temperature Students test the temperature and dissolved oxygen level of a body of water, make predictions about the presence of aquatic life, and discuss the relationship between human impact, environmental factors, dissolved oxygen, and aquatic life.
		Hydropower Students examine how energy is harnessed from moving water and discuss the impact of hydroelectric power generation on ecosystems and communities.
		Microscopes / Aquatic Food Pyramid Students collect and examine microscopic aquatic life and discuss the model of an aquatic food pyramid.
		pH Students test the pH of an aquatic habitat and draw connections between human activity, environmental factors, water quality and aquatic life.
		Riparian Habitat Survey Students examine the characteristics of a riparian zone and discuss the relationship between riparian habitat and aquatic life.
		Stream Flow Students calculate the volume of discharge of a stream and discuss issues surrounding water use and conservation.
		Stream Morphology Students build a model of a stream and examine the effect of erosion on stream shape.
		Turbidity Students test the turbidity of a stream or pond and discuss the relationship between sediment, water quality, and aquatic life.
		Waste Water Treatment Students simulate the process of municipal waste water treatment and discuss how human activities directly affect stream health.
		Water Conservation Students examine typical human water use and discuss strategies for conservation of potable water.
		Water Cycle Students define and/or act out the water cycle and point out observable stages in the water cycle. Then students characterize water as either a renewable or non-renewable resource.
		Water Physics Students conduct a variety of experiments to demonstrate unique physical qualities of water such as surface tension, capillary action and hydrogen bonding and discuss implications of these qualities for natural and human systems.
		Watersheds Students build a model of a watershed, identify components of a watershed, and examine the relationship between watershed conditions, human activity and water quality.

Animals

		Animal Signs Hike / Survey / Track Casting Students identify a wildlife-related question for inquiry and then survey the site for signs of wildlife and draw conclusions about presence and populations of animals.
		Arthropod Study Students find and examine arthropods and discuss the role arthropods play in local ecosystems.
		Bear Game Students use role-playing and simulation to explore concepts of carrying capacity and competition for food, water, shelter and space.
		Bird Adaptations Students identify adaptations of animals and describe how those adaptations help animals survive in their habitats. They use measurement and observations to identify animals using reference materials such as field guides.
		Bird Observations Students perform a bird population survey by counting and cataloging bird songs and observed birds.
		Deadly Links Students actively simulate the process of bioaccumulation of toxins in a wildlife population. Debrief discussion explores how human choices affect animal populations.
		Food Pyramid Students study the numerical relations in a terrestrial food pyramid.
		Food Web Students demonstrate interrelationships among structures in an ecosystem.
		Horns, Antlers, and Hooves Students identify adaptations of animals and describe how those adaptations help animals survive in their habitats. They use measurement and observations to identify animals using reference materials such as field guides.
		Live Animal Adaptations Students identify adaptations of animals and describe how those adaptations help animals survive in their habitats. They use measurement and observations to identify animals using reference materials such as field guides.
		Nutrient Cycle / Decomposition Students examine decomposition and study the means by which nutrients are cycled through an ecosystem.
		Oh Deer! Students role play deer population cycles to discuss carrying capacity and wildlife population cycles.* *actual simulation does not involve real deer
		Pelt Adaptations Students identify adaptations of animals and describe how those adaptations help animals survive in their habitats. They use measurement and observations to identify animals using reference materials such as field guides.
		Skull Adaptations Students identify adaptations of animals and describe how those adaptations help animals survive in their habitats. They use measurement and observations to identify animals using reference materials such as field guides.

Soil

		Absorption / Compaction / Permeability Students test a variety of locations for absorption rate and discuss the relationships among human activity, permeability and plant and animal habitat.
		Apple Earth Students examine and discuss the concept of soil as a limited resource.
		Compost / Worm Bin Students observe a worm bin and explore the role organic decomposition plays in soil formation as well as the role composting plays in waste reduction.
		Erosion Students identify types of erosion and discuss human activity and the impact of erosion on soil and ecosystem health.
		Geology Students analyze geologic profiles on site and discuss the geologic history of the local area. The rock cycle is discussed and rocks are categorized as igneous, metamorphic or sedimentary.
		Mud City Students take on the role of farmers to try to reduce erosion on a plot of land.
		Particle Size Students categorize inorganic matter by size and characterize loam as a combination of sand, silt and clay.
		pH Students test pH of soil and discuss the relationships among pH, plant growth and human activity.
		Slope and Aspect Students measure slope and aspect of the land and discuss the implications of slope and aspect on land management decisions.
		Soil Life Survey Students collect and examine soil organisms and discuss the role of organisms in soil health.
		Soil Profile Students collect and describe local soil horizons and discuss soil formation.
		Soil Recipe Students attempt to "make" soil, examine the importance of time in the natural formation of topsoil, and characterize soil as either a renewable or non-renewable resource.
		Soil Texture and Structure Students characterize soil particles by texture and structure.
		Topography Students observe the local landscape and use topographic maps to explore the factors that create the shape of the land.
		Weathering Students examine evidence of chemical and physical weathering and experiment with both types.

Plants

		Coniferous Trees Students learn to identify and categorize coniferous trees and discuss their place in forest succession and in the local economy.
		Dichotomous Key / Leaf Detectives Students create a dichotomous key and use a key to identify plants.
		Ethnobotany Students examine a variety of items made from plants and discuss the history of human use of plants in the Pacific Northwest.
		Fire Ecology Students identify signs of forest fire and discuss the impact of fire on a forest ecosystem.
		Flower Parts Students examine and dissect flowers and discuss the structure and function of flower parts.
		Forest Layers Students examine and identify the various layers found in a forest ecosystem and discuss layers as a diversity of habitat for wildlife.
		Logging Tools Students learn how to use crosscut saws and other historic logging tools and look for historical signs of the use of such tools at the site.
		Nurse Logs Students examine decomposing logs and stumps and observe and analyze their role in a forest ecosystem.
		Photosynthesis Students explore the process of photosynthesis and relate the process to activities they do on field study.
		Plant Adaptations Students examine a variety of plants, their adaptations, and their niche in the forest community.
		Plant Associations Students characterize forest plots in terms of plants that are usually found together and analyze reasons for particular plant associations.
		Plant Identification Hike Students examine a variety of plants and use field guides and other resources to identify and categorize plants and fungi.
		Primitive Plants Students identify fungi, lichens, ferns and moss and examine their adaptations and role in the forest ecosystem.
		Seed and Spore Dispersal Students collect and identify seeds and spores and describe their dispersal techniques. Dispersal is linked to forest succession.
		Succession and Disturbance Students explore the process of forest succession, outline human and natural disturbances, and collect data to characterize a variety of sites as to their stage in succession.
		Tree Age Students use a variety of techniques to determine tree age and estimate the age a forest stand.
		Tree Height / Board Foot Volume Students use geometric triangulation and forestry tools to calculate the height of a tree and then calculate the volume of lumber contained in a tree. Students discuss human use of wood products and how activities such as paper recycling can reduce the amount of trees harvested.
		Tree Parts Students act out the internal parts of a tree and the function of each (outer bark, xylem, phloem, cambium, heartwood).