Students will also explore different natural habitats and learn about research projects that are currently underway. This fieldtrip is a wonderful chance for students to see science come alive while enjoying the beauty and wonder of nature. Students will develop beginning scientific research skills and understand the process of the scientific method. By looking at evidence around a resident beaver community, students have the opportunity to apply scientific method by using observation skills to ask questions, collect and analyze data that can answer those questions, formulate a hypothesis from what is learned, design an experiment to test the hypothesis and draw conclusions from their experience. Students form investigating teams to search in several habitat sites for salamanders and other species in the detritus-based food web.
Teams report their findings in a final session back in the laboratory.
Students will learn the importance of long-term studies in establishing and interpreting trends. Student teams will visit a site where census of trees has occurred and will duplicate data collection. Students will analyze data, compare findings to the CFI study, and discuss observations and results, taking into account tree species and position in the canopy as they effect rate of growth. Nature Study Nature Study is a six week summer program for the children where they learn basic facts about local plants and animals in the variety of habitats in and around Lake Myosotis. This is done via nature walks and elementary field work.