|
 Study
Middle Schools summer program made four field trips to the Bull
Shoals field station. The students who
participated in
the activities
arrived prepared. Each day the activities
followed a common theme as follows:
Water Quality, Topography and Soils,
Mammals, Vegetation
and Maps . The class was split into smaller groups.
The groups then would rotate among the three different
activities for that day. Here's a
brief description of some of the
activities:
Water Quality/ Stream Geomorphology-
1. Stream channels- This activity used surveying methods to
create a visual graph of the stream channel. 2. Invertebrates-
Students used kick nets and seines to collect aquatic organisms and
also identified them with keys that were provided. 3. Water
Chemistry- Students conducted water chemistry on Bee Creek.
Students tested Nitrates and Phosphates along with other
parameters such as pH, turbidity, and dissolved oxygen.
Discussions on why these are important to the quality of water
occurred also.
Click here to see pictures
from these activities!
Topography and Soils- 1.
Topography- Students learned to use topographical maps and how to
interpret contour lines. Students used cutout topographical
features to create contour lines. 2. Soils- Discussion and
identification of sand, silt and clay. 3. Orienteering-
Students were given an orienteering course. The use of compasses
and directions the students had to make there way through the
course.
Click here to see pictures
from these activities!
Animals- 1. Dichotomous Key-
Students used fish cards and key out there fish on a dichotomous
key constructed in a large open area. 2. Skulls- Students
examined several different skulls and made predictions of what
type of animal this once was. 3. Pond- Students visited a
nearby pond and learned about the organisms living there.
Students collected organisms and viewed them under scopes.
Click here to see pictures from these
activities! Vegetation- 1.
Forestry data collection- Students collected forestry data.
2. Tree walk- students were led to different labeled trees.
Key characteristics for identification were discussed at each
tree. Leaf collections were made and leaf rubbings were done
in journals. Also extra leafs were pressed to use for
follow-up activities. 3. Activity from Project
Learning Tree |
Bull
Shoals Field Station
