Classroom Resources

Hi soil lovers, I just wanted to tell you about two fun paperback books on soils and bacteria that can be had for under $25, in case you were looking for an interesting summer read: “Life in the Soil: A Guide for Naturalists and Gardeners” by James B. Nardi (2007) “A Field Guide to Bacteria” […]

Plants & Pollen Resources

Nature Explore Education from the National Arbor Day Foundation: A complete research-based program of fun, effective resources to help educators, families, and others working to connect children with nature. Nature Explore Classrooms are being constructed at schools; nature centers; national forests, parks, and wildlife refuges; zoos; arboretums; and child care centers. They are appropriate wherever […]

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Extension Activities

There are many opportunities to extend and expand the activities listed in this module. Several examples are listed below. Extension 1 The Great Plant Escape: From the University of Illinois Extension Service, The Great Plant Escape is an elementary plant science program for 4th and 5th grade students. Each of the lessons in this program […]

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Vegetation Assessment Activity

This page includes supporting documentation for a vegetation assessment activity: Click here to download the activity Lesson Plan (in .doc format). Click here to download the Cfwep.Org Lesson Plan for conducting a practice vegetation assessment (also includes a practice water quality assessment, in .doc format). Click here to download the Cfwep.Org Plant Guide for Students […]

Birds Resources

Avian Science Center at the University of Montana: The mission of the Avian Science Center is to promote ecological awareness and informed decision making through the collection, synthesis, and dissemination of science-based information on western birds. The Center provides numerous outdoor workshops and educational events in Montana in the warm seasons. All About Birds from […]

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Extension Activities

There are many opportunities to extend and expand the activities listed in this module. Several examples are listed below. Extension 1 The “How Strong are a Bird’s Bones?” activity from education.com demonstrates how strong a hollow structure can be using pennies and hollow paper bones. Extension 2 “Bird Beak Gallery” from Teachers’ Domain: It is […]

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Figure 6.80: Mountain Bluebird. Image from FWP.

Identifying Birds Lab Exercise

Snow Resources

A Snow Crystal Primer by Kenneth G. Libbrecht from CalTech: A great introduction to the basic facts about snowflakes and snow crystals. The parent site, SnowCrystals.com, contains additional information and activities on snowflakes, including a Snow Crystal Photo Gallery. Snowflake Physics at TeachersDomain.org: In this interactive activity adapted from SnowCrystals.com, learn about snowflake formation. Explore […]

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Extension Activities

There are many opportunities to extend and expand the activities listed in this module. Several examples are listed below. Extension 1 Symmetry Activity: Have students examine a number of objects in the classroom, both two-dimensional and three-dimensional, to determine how many lines or planes of symmetry can be found in each. Extension 2 Symmetry Activity: […]

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The Science of Ice Freeze-up & Break-up

Everyone who has lived in the northern U.S. has observed the phenomenon known as freeze-up and break-up on local rivers, streams, and lakes. What causes a river or lake to freeze-up in the fall? What causes a river or lake to melt out (break-up) in the spring? Have the dates of freeze-up and break-up changed […]

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The MSP project is funded by an ESEA, Title II Part B Mathematics and Science Partnership Grant through the Montana Office of Public Instruction. MSP was developed by the Clark Fork Watershed Education Program and faculty from Montana Tech of The University of Montana and Montana State University, with support from other Montana University System Faculty.