And the fact that they had e-mail access to me and my research made the experience even more valid for them. Barb made daily journal entries via electronic mail, and collaborated with her students during the semester before the trip. They helped design the experimental parameters with which I worked as I investigated the feeding rates of rotifers living on the microbial mats along the perimeter of Lake Hoare. I received many questions and suggestions for things to try during my research while on the ice from students across the country. The really nice thing about my research project is that rotifers can be found almost anywhere around the world.
Students can then collect some and try their own experiments.
Barb believes that LTER sites are of real interest to biology teachers for several reasons. Many of us have environmental research going on in our local communities. Watershed studies are really popular at this time. Barb says it is helpful to have data and research questions from all LTER sites readily available to students and would like to see more. We have used info from several sites with both regular biology and advanced biology classes.