Activities

• During field trips take field notes on vegetation and animal habits and habitats:

take back samples for lab experiments, or send samples out for analysis.

• Make a natural history collection for study purposes:

make drawings or cast impressions of tracks

collect skulls and other bones, fur, etc.

mount skeletons

practice taxidermy

catalog the collection.

Resources

• lab materials: pH test kits, thermometers, magnifying glass, field glasses 
• Investigating Your Environment-Teaching Activities for Elementary Education
• Flora of Alaska and Neighboring Territories
• A Field Guide to Animal Tracks
• A Field Guide to the Mammals
• Alaska Department of Fish and Game
• Arctic Environmental Information and Data Center U.S. Forest Service
• U.S. Department of Agriculture

Variations

• Ask elders about identity and location of wildlife and vegetation. Take elders on field trips.
• Catalog with English and indigenous names.
• Collect vegetables for food and medicinal use.
• Concentrate on geological, marine, or botanical specimens.
• Use owl pellets to identify food species of owl. Trace food webs.
• Investigate energy sources.
• Study conservation of resources.