Earth’s Systems

It is helpful to think of the Earth as being composed of various large, intricate systems that interact with each other in a manner that keeps things in balance (and, as a result, makes it possible for humans and other organisms to survive on the Earth). Check Your Thinking: Do you know the names of […]

What is Water Quality?

The term water quality is generally used to describe the chemical, physical and biological characteristics of water with respect to its suitability for its many particular uses. For example, water quality as it relates to drinking has different requirements than water suitable for fish and other aquatic life, not to say that water safe for […]

Module 6:
Birds

After completing this module, you will be knowledgeable about: Certain distinctive features that make birds unique as living organisms; Specific morphological features that can separate animals into different taxonomic groupings even when they appear similar; Birds different morphologies that have evolved to help them attain food; Not all birds fly and that not all flying […]

Module 5:
Snow

After completing this module, you will be knowledgeable about: Snowflakes Snowflake Shapes Snowflakes: Symmetry Properties of Water Water Phase Change Earth’s Systems Earth’s Energy Budget Absorption and Reflection of Energy Albedo Snow as an Insulator: Snow Density Energy, Temperature and Heat Heat Transfer Heat Flow in Water Heat Flux through the Snow Cover Calculating Conductive […]

Module 4:
Water

After completing this module, you will be able to: Describe the chemical and molecular properties of pure water and how they relate to water in the environment (e.g. the water cycle); Plan and conduct basic water quality monitoring using World Water Monitoring Day field kits in a sound scientific method to assess water quality; Communicate […]

Module 3:
Soils

After completing this module, you will be able to: Collect soil samples from your study site using a sound scientific collection method; Culture soil biota using Petri dish and culture media (plating followed by incubation); Describe the living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) features of your study site; Begin to describe the process for classification of […]

Module 2:
Landscape

After completing this module, you will be able to: Use different tools to observe and measure the shape of the topography near your school; Describe the local topography in qualitative and quantitative terms; Compare the topography of your area with that of other parts of Montana and the world; Name the processes that are involved […]

Module 1:
Mapping

After completing the field mapping module, you will be able to: Explain what maps are and how they are useful; Demonstrate an understanding of mapping terminology; Identify different categories of maps and how maps are used in science; Interpret information presented in maps; Discuss how maps are created; Create a field map that can be […]