It was inspired in part by a list of questions Dan Flores gave as a part of his lecture on a sense of place. Students will be able to identify producers, consumers, decomposers, plant needs, animal needs, and the water, rock, matter, and air cycles found in the different ecosystems. Clipboards with data sheets, pencils, a collection sack, hand lens to magnify and canteen of water if hot and hiking far. If away from school plan a sack lunch, first aid kit, emergency forms, and the kids medicines. Long pants on the kids are best for truly wild hikes.
Hats also can aid in avoiding ticks and sun.
While exploring these habitats they will observe and record any producers, consumers, or decomposers they find. Students will look for signs of animals. They will try some edible plants. As they hike they will make observations about their surroundings and use their problem-solving skills to answer the following questions. These will help them develop a sense of place and grasp their objectives.