6 7 8 9 10 | "If Trees Could Talk" Curriculum | "If Trees Could Talk" is a 10-module, middle school curriculum that gives teachers the opportunity to download FREE social studies activities that are based upon archival materials. The centerpiece of each module is a compilation of primary resources--documents, maps, newspaper articles, oral histories or photographs--from which students will be asked to gather, examine, and analyze information, and synthesize insights. The Forest History Society believes that we must understand the history of forests and their people in order to shape the future of people and their forests.
| Curriculum/Activity guide | ES&NRP - Fire ecology GES - General environmental education P&A - Endangered species PE - Archaeology PE - Forestry |
K 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Adult/Family | Advanced Project WILD Natural History Workshop: Rocky Mountain Elk, Trout & Forest Ecosystems | What: Our popular annual professional development weekend for educators includes elk viewing and hands-on experience with fish and their food base. Enjoy special presentations from our Department Rio Grande cutthroat trout biologist, fly fishing experts and more.
When: September 28-30, 2007
Where: Shuree Ponds, Valle Vidal Unit, Carson National Forest, east of Costilla, NM
Group Size: Limited to 15! Workshop is open to educators first and other interested adults as space is available.
Accommodations: Primitive camping; small camper trailers and pop-ups are ok.
Pre-Registration Required: Kevin Holladay and/or Colleen Welch, Project WILD Coordinators, 505-476-8095 or 505-476-8119.
Kevin.Holladay@state.nm.us and Colleen.Welch@state.nm.us
Cost: Free workshop. Participants need to provide their own camping gear and groceries. | Teacher training | P&A - Wildlife |
K 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 | Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority Water Resource Education | Our water resource educators come to you to help students understand that water is a precious and scarce resource, where their drinking water comes from, and what they can do to protect our water. Presentations last about 45 minutes and include a hands-on activity and interactive style that students really enjoy. Open to all students, all grades, all schools, all groups and events in the general service area of the Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority. Free tours also offered to the new drinking water administrative building to learn how the Rio Grande River surface water is purified and will become a major source of local drinking water by summer 2008. To schedule a visit, call 768-3245 or email us at rhsparks@cabq.gov. | In-class presenter Field trip/Event | ES&NRP - Water quality and quantity ES&NRP - Groundwater |
3 4 5 | Animal Adaptations | This class program introduces students to the idea of adaptations, and they will learn the difference between physical and behavioral adaptations in animals. Students complete a data table, grouping animals by their family and adaptations. In the second part of the class, students conduct a science experiment based on animal burrows. Using the scientific process and instruments, students measure the temperature inside and on top of the burrow to test their hypothesis.
| In-class presenter | P&A - Wildlife |
K 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Adult/Family | Aquatic Resources Education Program | The Aquatic Resources Education Programs (ARE) include the Fisheries Monitoring Program, aka Watershed Watch and the Fishing Skills Program. Both programs are sponsored by NM Department of Game and Fish through contractor services and Department staff. Watershed Watch provides high school teachers and students with opportunities to monitor streams in their watershed throughout the school year. Fishing Skills offers a variety of angling education programs and events for both K-12 and communities in NM. Classroom sessions provide broad watershed and aquatic ecosystem educational presentations. Field sessions offer opportunities for experiential learning. Community events include annual June Free Fishing Day, community and kids' fishing clinics, aquatic day at State Fair, pond studies and statewide childrens' water festival presentations. | In-class presenter Field trip/Event Teacher training Equipment to loan | ES&NRP - Land & watershed health ES&NRP - Water quality and quantity P&A - Aquatic wildlife P&A - Ecosystems (e.g. prairie, pine forest, bosque, riparian) PE - Acequias PE - Hunting & fishing PE - Outdoor skills & recreation |
K 1 2 | Arthropod Identification | This class program introduces students to the largest group of animals - arthropods. Using five groups (insects, arachnids, centipedes, millipedes, and crustaceans), students will learn some of the characteristics of arthropods. Then students conduct scientific observations of preserved arthropod specimens to complete their own data table.
| In-class presenter | P&A - Insects |
3 4 5 | Arthropod Identification | This class program introduces students to the largest group of animals - arthropods. Using five groups (insects, arachnids, centipedes, millipedes, and crustaceans), students will utilize a data table to extract information about arthropods. Then students conduct scientific observations of preserved arthropod specimens to complete their own data table.
| In-class presenter | P&A - Insects |
Adult/Family | Asbestos education & relief for homeowners | Asbestos materials were used in the construction of our homes. You and I need to know where these materials are and what we can do to avoid disturbance that will lead to illness. Future generations (our kids and grand-kids) will need this information to live safely in our homes. I can tell you how you can work safely with or around these materials. | Curriculum/Activity guide | ES&NRP - Air quality |
1 2 3 4 5 | Basic Project WILD Workshop: WILD About Science & Literacy | What: Discover how to use Project WILD/Aquatic WILD to engage students in literacy skills by integrating science and language arts. Language plays a critical role in science. Reading, writing, oral discussion and using science notebooks and journals will be demonstrated with Project WILD activities.
When: Saturday, October 20, 2007
Where: Rio Grande Nature Center, 2901 Candelaria NW, Albuquerque, NM
Cost: Free Workshop; bring a sack lunch
Pre-Registration Required: Colleen Welch, Project WILD Co-Coordinator, 505-476-8119 or Colleen.Welch@state.nm.us | Teacher training | P&A - Wildlife |
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 | BEMP Basics | An introduction to BEMP and the bigger picture, learn about what monthly monitoring is/does and make a map of a field-site to understand how they are set up along the Middle Rio Grande Valley. Focus on: groundwater, precipitation gauges and leaf litterfall.
| In-class presenter | P&A - Ecosystems (e.g. prairie, pine forest, bosque, riparian) |
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Adult/Family | BEMP: Aquifer Model fun! | We talk about the water cycle, have a model of the middle Rio Grande vally and each student gets to make a mini aquifer to take home. | In-class presenter | ES&NRP - Groundwater |
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Adult/Family | BEMP: bosque field-trips at Bosque School in Albuquerque! | Field trips can can be focused on monthly monitoring, water chemistry, macro-invertebrate studies, and/or ecosystem dynamics. | Field trip/Event | P&A - Wildlife P&A - Aquatic wildlife P&A - Native plants P&A - Ecosystems (e.g. prairie, pine forest, bosque, riparian) P&A - Invasive species ES&NRP - Groundwater ES&NRP - Land & watershed health |
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Adult/Family | BEMP: Changing River Model (from the BEG) | See how the middle Rio Grande Valley has canged in the last 2000 years with hands on activities of the Rio Bravo, Rio Manso and Rio Nuevo. | Kit/Resource trunk In-class presenter | P&A - Ecosystems (e.g. prairie, pine forest, bosque, riparian) ES&NRP - Land & watershed health |
6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Adult/Family | BEMP: Data Interpretation | Discuss BEMP monthly monitoring and graph the data from your field site, look for trends and seasonal changes. | In-class presenter | P&A - Ecosystems (e.g. prairie, pine forest, bosque, riparian) ES&NRP - Groundwater ES&NRP - Land & watershed health |
K 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Adult/Family | BEMP: Fauna of the Floodplain | Learn about some of our local bosque inhabitants with bio-artifacts like skulls, scat and tracks. | In-class presenter | P&A - Wildlife |
5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Adult/Family | BEMP: Leaf Litter Lab | We'll provide the equipment and scales, but your students will have the chance to sort, weigh and process the leaf litter collected in the field for input into our UNM database. | In-class presenter | P&A - Native plants P&A - Invasive species |
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 | BEMP: Native & Exotic Producers | We discuss what "native" and "exotic" mean, pass around cuttings of different bosque plants and make and identification sheet for future field expeditions (limited to summer, fall and late spring for fresh cuttings). Focus on: cottonwood, willow, saltcedar, Russian olive, etc. | In-class presenter | P&A - Native plants P&A - Invasive species |
6 7 8 9 10 11 12 | Bern. Co. Env. Health- water quality testing | I have a variety of water quality testing kits that I can bring into your classroom. Students can perform the tests themselves and we will then discuss what the results mean in terms of impact to human health. As a bilingual former middle school and high school classroom teacher, the activities will be engaging and challenging. The testing procedures and analysis are modified to adapt to grade levels. | In-class presenter | ES&NRP - Water quality and quantity |
4 5 6 7 | Bern. Co. Environmental Health- E Hazards poster series | This poster series can be ordered from us at little or no cost (depending on current supply). They are very colorful and the content tie directly to the DVD E Hazards. One poster series includes 6 posters dealing with household products, second hand smoke, pesticides, UV light, lead, and contaminated water. | Kit/Resource trunk | ES&NRP - Air quality ES&NRP - Water quality and quantity PE - Trash & recycling (pollution prevention) |
9 10 11 12 | Bernalillo County Env. Health | Students will be guided in a discussion about air pollution, local resources, and perform a math activity to determine their exposure to air pollution. | In-class presenter | ES&NRP - Air quality |
4 5 6 7 | Bernalillo County Office of Environmental Health: E Hazards | An EPA video that explains many potential environmental home dangers. The video is targeted for middle school students. | DVD Video cassette | ES&NRP - Air quality ES&NRP - Water quality and quantity PE - Trash & recycling (pollution prevention) |
4 5 6 7 | Bernalillo County Office of Environmental Health: Monsters in Our Water | This is a 30-45 minute hands-on activity for 4-7 students that is done in the calssroom. They will discuss sources of water pollution and then create a graphical analysis of a fake water sample. The analysis is tailored to the grade level. | In-class presenter | ES&NRP - Water quality and quantity |
6 7 8 | Biome Climate Comparision & Long-Term Data | The Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) Network is a group of more than 1,000 scientists collecting ecological data at 26 sites throughout the United States. Students compare and contrast temperature and precipitation data from five LTER sites: HJ Andrews (conifer forest), Jornada Basin (Chihuahuan Desert), Shortgrass Steppe (grassland), Luquillo (tropical rain forest), and Central Arizona - Phoenix (Sonoran Desert). Students then use annual precipitation data collected since 1915 at the Jornada Experimental Range near Las Cruces, New Mexico to investigate the importance of long-term data. They graph and interpret data from short time periods and compare conclusions based on these data to conclusions based on more than 80 years of data.
| In-class presenter | P&A - Ecosystems (e.g. prairie, pine forest, bosque, riparian) ES&NRP - Climate change |
9 10 11 12 | Biome Climate Comparison & Long-Term Data | The Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) Network is a group of more than 1,000 scientists collecting ecological data at 26 sites throughout the United States. In this activity, students compare and contrast temperature and precipitation data from five LTER sites: HJ Andrews (conifer forest), Jornada Basin (Chihuahuan Desert), Shortgrass Steppe (grassland), Luquillo (tropical rain forest), and Central Arizona - Phoenix Urban (Sonoran Desert). Students use annual precipitation data collected since 1915 at the Jornada Experimental Range near Las Cruces, New Mexico, to investigate the importance of long-term data. They graph and interpret data from short time periods and compare conclusions based on these data to conclusions based on more than 80 years of data.
| In-class presenter | ES&NRP - Climate change |
3 4 5 | Biomes | Students are introduced to the six major land biomes (desert, tropical rainforest, grassland, deciduous forest, taiga, and tundra). They will perform skits to learn about the temperature, precipitation, plants and animals in each biome. If time permits, they will then use data from weather stations in each biome to make predictions about biome temperature differences and create graphs of monthly temperatures to test these predictions. | In-class presenter | P&A - Ecosystems (e.g. prairie, pine forest, bosque, riparian) |
K 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Adult/Family | Birds of Prey Program | This single visit program is designed to teach students of all ages about a variety of life science topics using two live, permanently disabled raptors and hands-on activities. Possible topics include, but are not limited to: environmental conservation, bird identification, migration, raptor adaptations, ecosystems and habitats, food webs. Grant funding is often available for this program within the Albuquerque metro area. | In-class presenter | P&A - Wildlife P&A - Birds P&A - Ecosystems (e.g. prairie, pine forest, bosque, riparian) |
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 | Bosque Education Guide | The Bosque Education Guide is a curriculum to teach about the Middle Rio Grande Valley ecosystem. It has over 600 pages of background and activities for elementary through high school. The main activity has students set up a paper and cloth model of the river valley, placing plants and animals in the appropriate environments to show the bosque ecosystem as it was before major human alteration, then changing the pieces around to show how humans have changed things in the last century. Finally, students conduct restoration projects on the model to see how land managers can maintain as much of the biodiversity and natural processes of the ecosystem with out compromising the safety of our communities.
The Guide has many activities to be done with students on field trips as well as in the classroom or schoolyard. Topics include, the geology of the valley, surface and groundwater, the demands on the river's water budget, natural history information and human influence, several mapping activities and two web quests. The final chapter helps teachers plan service-learning projects with their students. A substantial background section and appendices including correlations to the New Mexico education standards round out the book. Many activities were recently translated into Spanish. | Curriculum/Activity guide Web-based activities Teacher training | P&A - Wildlife P&A - Birds P&A - Insects P&A - Reptiles & amphibians P&A - Aquatic wildlife P&A - Native plants P&A - Ecosystems (e.g. prairie, pine forest, bosque, riparian) P&A - Endangered species P&A - Invasive species ES&NRP - Water quality and quantity ES&NRP - Groundwater ES&NRP - Geology & soil ES&NRP - Fire ecology ES&NRP - Land & watershed health PE - Acequias PE - Cultural ecology PE - Farming & gardening PE - Water rights |
K 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 | Bottomless Lakes State Park Programs | Bottomless Lakes State Park provides field trips and in-class presenters on many scientific topics, ranging from birds to geology, hydrology, flora and fauna, and water education. They are located near Roswell, NM. Call 575-624-6058 for more information. | Curriculum/Activity guide In-class presenter Field trip/Event | ES&NRP - Biology ES&NRP - Earth sciences ES&NRP - Groundwater ES&NRP - Geology & soil ES&NRP - Land & watershed health ES&NRP - Water quality and quantity GES - Scientific process GES - General environmental education P&A - Aquatic wildlife P&A - Birds P&A - Botany P&A - Ecosystems (e.g. prairie, pine forest, bosque, riparian) P&A - Insects P&A - Wildlife |
K 1 2 3 4 5 6 | Building with alternative materials | Use adobe, hay and recycled materials to build simple structures. Learn about energy effeciency, sustainability and the variety of building materials used around the world. | Field trip/Event | ES&NRP - Climate change PE - Energy production & conservation PE - Trash & recycling (pollution prevention) Other |
3 4 5 6 7 8 9 | Chihuahuan Desert Teachers Guide | A guide has been developed for use by teachers who would like to visit the Refuge with their students to study this biome. Multi-disciplinary lesson plans for pre-visit, on-site and post-visit activities are included. All lessons are coordinated to the New Mexico educational standards and benchmarks. The Guide is targeted toward upper elementary school teachers. | Curriculum/Activity guide | P&A - Wildlife P&A - Ecosystems (e.g. prairie, pine forest, bosque, riparian) ES&NRP - Geology & soil |
9 10 11 12 | Clean Water Partners | water quality policy, including the Clean Water Act and NM state policy. | Curriculum/Activity guide DVD In-class presenter Teacher training | ES&NRP - Water quality and quantity |
3 4 5 | Desert Plant Adaptations | This class program introduces students to five native Chihuahuan Desert plants (barrel cactus, ocotillo, creosote bush, yucca, and honey mesquite). By playacting the plant’s adaptations, students gain knowledge of that plant’s characteristics. Students then learn about the life cycle of plants from seed to flower to fruit. | In-class presenter | P&A - Native plants |
3 4 5 6 | Down and Dirty Soil Science | Preparing the soil for your garden is the first step in growing healthy, thriving plants. Learn about drainage and water retention, compost, humus and nutrients in the soil. Find out which plants grow best in certain types of soil. Experiment with soil samples and bring back the knowledge you've gained to your school garden. | Curriculum/Activity guide Field trip/Event | ES&NRP - Geology & soil P&A - Botany P&A - Native plants PE - Farming & gardening |
3 4 5 | Earth Movers | This class program introduces students to the forces that are constantly changing the earth’s surface including erosion, earthquakes, and volcanoes. Through hands-on demonstrations, students learn about tectonic plate movement, wind and water erosion, and volcanic action.
| In-class presenter | ES&NRP - Geology & soil |
4 5 6 | Ecology Field Program | | Field trip/Event | P&A - Wildlife P&A - Ecosystems (e.g. prairie, pine forest, bosque, riparian) ES&NRP - Geology & soil ES&NRP - Fire ecology PE - Cultural ecology PE - Energy production & conservation PE - Outdoor skills & recreation PE - Trash & recycling (pollution prevention) |
4 5 6 | Ecology Road Show | We bring nature to your classroom with fun, interactive activities that teach the basics of ecological terms and concepts. Activities are directed by our staff of educators. | In-class presenter Field trip/Event | P&A - Wildlife P&A - Native plants P&A - Ecosystems (e.g. prairie, pine forest, bosque, riparian) |
4 5 6 | Ecosystems Everywhere Curriculum CD | | Curriculum/Activity guide | P&A - Wildlife P&A - Ecosystems (e.g. prairie, pine forest, bosque, riparian) ES&NRP - Fire ecology PE - Trash & recycling (pollution prevention) |
3 4 5 6 | Ecosystems Everywhere Kit | | Kit/Resource trunk | P&A - Wildlife P&A - Ecosystems (e.g. prairie, pine forest, bosque, riparian) ES&NRP - Fire ecology PE - Trash & recycling (pollution prevention) |
K 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Adult/Family | Environmental Education | Students and groups learn about the Open Space program, as well as many cultural and natural resources that make up these lands. Talks may cover a number of varied topics such as animals and wildlife, geology and the formation of local features such as the volcanos, cultural resources or agriculture. Educators may ask us to adapt our talks to compliment current classroom curriculum. Service projects such as plantings and trimmings in the bosque, trail building and maintenance in the bosque and foothills areas, and trash clean-up in all of our areas may be arranged. All projects include a saftey talk and lessons about the areas involved. | In-class presenter Field trip/Event | ES&NRP - Astronomy ES&NRP - Biology ES&NRP - Earth sciences ES&NRP - Geology & soil ES&NRP - Land & watershed health GES - General environmental education P&A - Aquatic wildlife P&A - Birds P&A - Botany P&A - Ecosystems (e.g. prairie, pine forest, bosque, riparian) P&A - Evolution and adaptation P&A - Endangered species P&A - Insects P&A - Invasive species P&A - Native plants P&A - Reptiles & amphibians P&A - Wildlife PE - Acequias PE - Animal husbandry & welfare PE - Archaeology PE - Cultural ecology PE - Farming & gardening PE - Outdoor skills & recreation PE - Trash & recycling (pollution prevention) Other |
K 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Adult/Family | Environmental Education Links from EEANM (Environmental Education Association of New Mexico) | This page links New Mexico educators to environmental curriculum and organizations involved in environmental curriculum. Check it out for a broad span of resources! | Curriculum/Activity guide | ES&NRP - Air quality ES&NRP - Climate change ES&NRP - Earth sciences ES&NRP - Fire ecology ES&NRP - Groundwater ES&NRP - Geology & soil ES&NRP - Land & watershed health ES&NRP - Water quality and quantity GES - Scientific process GES - General environmental education P&A - Aquatic wildlife P&A - Birds P&A - Botany P&A - Ecosystems (e.g. prairie, pine forest, bosque, riparian) P&A - Evolution and adaptation P&A - Endangered species P&A - Insects P&A - Invasive species P&A - Native plants P&A - Reptiles & amphibians P&A - Wildlife PE - Acequias PE - Animal husbandry & welfare PE - Archaeology PE - Cultural ecology PE - Energy production & conservation PE - Environmental justice PE - Environment & human health PE - Farming & gardening PE - Forestry PE - Hunting & fishing PE - Outdoor skills & recreation PE - Ranching PE - Trash & recycling (pollution prevention) PE - Water rights |
4 | Environmental Lesson Plan Examples | LEEP is an environmental education group in Southern California. This is a short list of ideas for environmental activities that we found successful with fourth grade students, and are mostly focused on wildlife. | Curriculum/Activity guide | P&A - Wildlife |
3 4 5 | Field Trips Grade 3 - 5 | Where: Chihuahuan Desert Nature Park and Jornada Experimental Range
Cost: $2 per student; all adults are free
Maximum Group Size: 100 (minimum group size 45)
Length: All day
In collaboration with the USDA-ARS Jornada Experimental Range, the Chihuahuan Desert Nature Park provides an opportunity for students to learn about science, agricultural research, and the desert during a daylong field trip. Students visit 3-5 hands-on activity stations (see list below). After lunch, students are teamed with scientist guides on the “Desert Discovery Walk,” a guided exploration of the desert. Students come away with an appreciation for all that exists in the desert, an area many of them once considered a wasteland. A booklet of pre- and post-field trip activities is available on the downloads page; one version is geared for 3rd-5th grade students. Call the Nature Park office (505-524-3334) to book your school's trip. This program is open to all schools in southern New Mexico and West Texas.
| Field trip/Event | P&A - Wildlife P&A - Insects P&A - Reptiles & amphibians P&A - Native plants P&A - Ecosystems (e.g. prairie, pine forest, bosque, riparian) ES&NRP - Geology & soil PE - Farming & gardening |
6 7 8 | Field Trips Grade 6 - 8 | Where: Chihuahuan Desert Nature Park and Jornada Experimental Range
Cost: $2 per student; all adults are free
Maximum Group Size: 100 (minimum group size 45)
Length: All day
In collaboration with the USDA-ARS Jornada Experimental Range, the Chihuahuan Desert Nature Park provides an opportunity for students to learn about science, agricultural research, and the desert during a daylong field trip. Students visit 3-5 hands-on activity stations (see list below). After lunch, students are teamed with scientist guides on the “Desert Discovery Walk,” a guided exploration of the desert. Students come away with an appreciation for all that exists in the desert, an area many of them once considered a wasteland. A booklet of pre- and post-field trip activities is available on the downloads page; one version is geared for 6th-8th grade students. Call the Nature Park office (505-524-3334) to book your school's trip. This program is open to all schools in southern New Mexico and West Texas.
| Field trip/Event | P&A - Wildlife P&A - Insects P&A - Reptiles & amphibians P&A - Native plants P&A - Ecosystems (e.g. prairie, pine forest, bosque, riparian) ES&NRP - Geology & soil PE - Farming & gardening |
9 10 11 12 | Field Trips Grade 9 - 12 | Where: Chihuahuan Desert Nature Park and Jornada Experimental Range
Cost: $2 per student; all adults are free
Maximum Group Size: 100 (minimum group size 45)
Length: All day
In collaboration with the USDA-ARS Jornada Experimental Range, the Chihuahuan Desert Nature Park provides an opportunity for students to learn about science, agricultural research, and the desert during a daylong field trip. Students visit 3-5 hands-on activity stations (see list below). After lunch, students are teamed with scientist guides on the “Desert Discovery Walk,” a guided exploration of the desert. Students come away with an appreciation for all that exists in the desert, an area many of them once considered a wasteland. This program is open to all schools in southern New Mexico and West Texas.
| Field trip/Event | P&A - Wildlife P&A - Insects P&A - Reptiles & amphibians P&A - Native plants P&A - Ecosystems (e.g. prairie, pine forest, bosque, riparian) ES&NRP - Geology & soil |
K 1 2 | Field Trips K - 2 | Where: Chihuahuan Desert Nature Park and Jornada Experimental Range
Cost: $2 per student; all adults are free
Maximum Group Size: 100 (minimum group size 45)
Length: All day
In collaboration with the USDA-ARS Jornada Experimental Range, the Chihuahuan Desert Nature Park provides an opportunity for students to learn about science, agricultural research, and the desert during a daylong field trip. Students visit 3-5 hands-on activity stations (see list below). After lunch, students are teamed with scientist guides on the “Desert Discovery Walk,” a guided exploration of the desert. Students come away with an appreciation for all that exists in the desert, an area many of them once considered a wasteland. Call the Nature Park office (505-524-3334) to book your school's trip. This program is open to all schools in southern New Mexico and West Texas.
| Field trip/Event | P&A - Wildlife P&A - Insects P&A - Reptiles & amphibians P&A - Native plants P&A - Ecosystems (e.g. prairie, pine forest, bosque, riparian) PE - Farming & gardening |
9 10 11 12 | Food Web & Energy Flows | Students learn about inter-connectedness of a desert food web. Following energy flows, students gain an understanding about the complexity of an ecosystem. | In-class presenter | P&A - Ecosystems (e.g. prairie, pine forest, bosque, riparian) |
4 5 6 | Grasshopper surveys | During the warmer months students visiting the refuge may emulate the research being done by Dr. David Lightfoot. Surveys are done in the desert, grasslands and pinyon to determine grasshopper abundance and diversity. Data and protocolas are available online. | Field trip/Event | P&A - Wildlife P&A - Insects |
3 4 5 | Habitat Stats | Students use scientific methods to investigate how many different kinds of arthropods are found in different habitats in your schoolyard. Students will conduct a complete scientific investigation including making predictions, collecting data, and sharing results. NOTE: This program can be done twice (once in the fall and once in the spring) to compare different species numbers found during each season with a discounted price for the second program.
| In-class presenter | P&A - Insects |
K 1 2 | Habitat Stats | Students use scientific methods to investigate how many different kinds of arthropods are found in different habitats in your schoolyard. Students will conduct a complete scientific investigation, including making predictions, collecting data, and sharing results. NOTE: This program can be done twice (once in the fall and once in the spring) to compare different species numbers found during each season (discounted price for the second program).
| In-class presenter | P&A - Insects |
K 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Adult/Family | HawkWatch Educational Programs | We offer programs with live hawks around New Mexico. We tailor the programs to different ages and we try to encompass the New Mexico Science Standards. The programs consist mainly of an explanation of raptors in the area and why these birds are important and the research we do with these birds to help protect them. | Field trip/Event | P&A - Birds |
K 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Adult/Family | HawkWatch Fall Field Trips | Visit the HawkWatch International Raptor Migration Project in the Manzano mountains! Every year, we monitor the populations of migrating birds of prey from August 26 to October 31. An on-site Environmental Interpreter will help your group understand why the raptors are there and why scientists count them. Organized groups can arrange a field trip by calling (505)255-7622. Visit our website for maps and other information to help you plan your trip. | Field trip/Event | P&A - Birds P&A - Ecosystems (e.g. prairie, pine forest, bosque, riparian) |
K 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Adult/Family | HawkWatch Spring Field Trips | Visit the HawkWatch International Raptor Migration Project in the Sandia mountains! Every year, we monitor the populations of migrating birds of prey from February 24 to May 5. An on-site Environmental Interpreter will help your group understand why the raptors are there and why scientists count them. Organized groups can arrange a field trip by calling (505)255-7622. Visit our website for maps and other information to help you plan your trip. | Field trip/Event | P&A - Birds P&A - Ecosystems (e.g. prairie, pine forest, bosque, riparian) |
6 7 8 | Hierarchy & Classification | Students use scientific methods to investigate how many different kinds of arthropods are found in different habitats in your schoolyard. Students will conduct a complete scientific investigation, including making predictions, collecting data, and sharing results. NOTE: This program can be done twice (once in the fall and once in the spring) to compare different species numbers found during each season (discounted price for the second program).
| In-class presenter | P&A - Insects |
9 10 11 12 | Hierarchy & Classification | By utilizing arthropods (mainly insects) caught in pitfall traps, students sort and group specimens according to the hierarchical classification scheme. Students will conduct a complete scientific investigations including making predictions, collecting data, and sharing results. NOTE: This program can be done twice (once in the fall and once in the spring) to compare different species numbers found during each season with a discounted price for the second program. | In-class presenter | P&A - Insects |
3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 | Jack Rabbit Survey | This unique field trip experience takes place after dark. Students replicate the jack rabbit surveys begun on the Refuge by Dr. Bob Parmenter over 15 years ago. Data and protocols are available online allowing students to make predictions about rabbit populations as well as graph their results in comparisson to other surveys. These studies can only be conducted once each month to limit disturbance to the wildlife | Field trip/Event | P&A - Wildlife |
K 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 | Live Raptor in the Classroom! | Bottomless Lakes State Parks, located near Roswell, NM, can bring a live raptor into your classroom! Contact Steve Patterson at 575-624-6058 or email steve.patterson@state.nm.us for more information. | In-class presenter | P&A - Birds |
3 4 5 6 7 8 | Living with the Landscape: Building a Future for Communities and Wildlife | Living with the Landscape (LWL) is a grant-funded, multi-visit program offered by Hawks Aloft to schools throughout New Mexico. The focus of the program is ecology and conservation education using live, permanently disabled raptors and hands-on activities to teach concepts such as animal and plant adaptations to their environments, ecosystems and habitats, food chains and human roles within ecosystems. During this program students take field trips to local natural areas, often with Hawks Aloft’s partner organizations, and complete a conservation project, determined by the classroom with the help of Hawks Aloft educators. Past projects have included: habitat restoration, schoolyard habitat creation, endangered species releases, litter cleanups and school water conservation campaigns. | Curriculum/Activity guide In-class presenter Field trip/Event | P&A - Wildlife P&A - Birds P&A - Native plants P&A - Ecosystems (e.g. prairie, pine forest, bosque, riparian) P&A - Endangered species P&A - Invasive species |
K 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Adult/Family | Mexican Gray Wolf Presentations | This 45 minute interactive presentation will introduce your students to the concept of endangered species while focusing on the Mexican Gray Wolf as an example of one endangered species that is struggling to survive right here in New Mexico. | Curriculum/Activity guide Kit/Resource trunk In-class presenter Teacher training Equipment to loan | P&A - Wildlife P&A - Endangered species |
9 10 11 12 | Mobile Molecular Biology Lab | The Mobile Molecular Biology Lab brings contemporary biology research techniques to high school classrooms across the state. Students participate in a hands-on molecular biology lab activity. The laboratory techniques and discussion guide students through the determination of their phenotype and genotype for a gene that controls the ability to taste a bitter chemical. Students predict their genotype from their phenotype and use techniques such as DNA extraction, PCR amplification, restriction enzyme screening, and gel electrophoresis to determine their actual genotype.
Objectives of the Mobile Lab:
· Give students the opportunity to use state-of-the-art scientific equipment and techniques.
· Reinforce the principles of biology topics such as the scientific method, genetics, and evolution.
· Provide teachers and students with a biology experience that would otherwise be cost prohibitive.
· Increase high school student awareness of contemporary biology research and opportunities.
Benefits of the Mobile Lab:
· All equipment and supplies are provided.
· The Mobile Lab Facilitator does the set-up and leads the activities.
· Lab activities and discussion are designed to help reach the New Mexico State Performance Standards and Benchmarks in the life sciences.
For more information please contact the Mobile Lab Facilitator:
Kayce Bell
Email: kcbell@nmsu.edu
Phone: (505) 646-2175 | In-class presenter | Other |
6 7 8 | Natural Selection | Students will learn about the process of natural selection by understanding how camouflage and mimicry aid animals’ and plants’ survival. Using different colors and backgrounds students, get to be the predator in this fast-paced experiment. | In-class presenter | P&A - Wildlife |
5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Adult/Family | Nuestras Acequias | This 20 minute film won the 2004 NM Governor's film cup for the spirit of New Mexico. Follow the acequias as they weave down the hills and across the fields of Northern New Mexico to hear the stories of villagers linked by these ditches. Just as acequia water energizes the soil, it also energizes a whole community revealed by the voices of farmers and youth in their passion for the land and this way of life. This documentary film describes the centuries-old irrigation tradition that is still a vital part of New Mexico's agricultural communities. Appropriate for ages 10 years old - adult. | DVD | PE - Acequias |
K 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Adult/Family | Places to Bird Watch in New Mexico | This site, New Mexico Birding, lists good places to bird across New Mexico. | Field trip/Event | P&A - Birds |
K 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 | Plant and Botany Resources by Plants of the Southwest | Plants of the Southwest in Santa Fe and Albuquerque offers field trips and in-class presentations. Topics include plants, botany, flowers, etc. They can also assist in school gardens. Please call 505-438-8888 for more information. | In-class presenter Field trip/Event | P&A - Botany P&A - Invasive species P&A - Native plants PE - Farming & gardening |
K 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Adult/Family | Project WILD | Award-winning and international, Project WILD is an interdisciplinary conservation and environmental education program emphasizing wildlife. The goal of Project WILD is to assist students of any age in developing awareness, knowledge, skills and commitment to result in informed decisions, responsible behavior and constructive actions concerning wildlife and the environment. New Mexico Project WILD and Project WILD-Aquatic offer basic one-day workshops as well as Advanced Project WILD Natural History Workshops. These are professional development workshops primarily addressing educators. All workshops are free and participants acquire the Project WILD Activity Guides by attending the basic one-day training. See the NM Game and Fish web site for current schedule of workshops. | Curriculum/Activity guide Kit/Resource trunk Teacher training | PE - Outdoor skills & recreation |
K 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 | Project Wild Workshops | Project WILD/Aquatic WILD workshops will be offered throughout the year.
* Enhance and expand on your teaching skills!
* Provide your students with hands-on, integrated activities!
* Use award-winning international Project WILD Guides!
* Meet New Mexico State Content Standards and Bench marks!
* Receive the new, revised 2000 Guides!
* Receive valuable teaching resources for your classroom!
| Teacher training | P&A - Wildlife |
Adult/Family | Raptors and the Rio | As it flows from its headwaters in Southern Colorado to the Gulf of Mexico, the Rio Grande cuts through the center of New Mexico, defining a way of life for plants and animals. This program will introduce you to the ecological relationships made possible by the river, from the tiniest snail to the most majestic eagle, and how our own actions can sustain the web of life into the future. This broadly accessible program is designed for Nature Centers and State Parks, but will be made available in classrooms November 2007 to July 2008. Please contact us to schedule a free program at your qualifying venue. (505)255-7622 | In-class presenter | P&A - Birds P&A - Ecosystems (e.g. prairie, pine forest, bosque, riparian) |
3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 | Refuge Field Trip-Biome Study | Students can use the Refuge to sharpen their knowledge of basic field study techniques and use of simple scientific instruments by conducting an inventory of a study quadrat in one or more of the biomes on the Refuge. Teachers and parents who participate in a one day orientation can receive a permit to conduct biome studies on the Refuge. All necessary field equipment is available for use by permitted educators. A limited amount of staff time is available for classroom visits prior to conducting the biome study. The program currently meets a minimum of 12 NM benchmarks for science education at the elementary school level. This program has been used successfully with students from 2nd - 10th grades. | Curriculum/Activity guide Video cassette Kit/Resource trunk Field trip/Event Teacher training Equipment to loan | P&A - Ecosystems (e.g. prairie, pine forest, bosque, riparian) |
7 8 | Renewable Energy Electronic Field Trips | This web-based program for middle school students features three segments: A virtual visit focusing on five major renewable resources and the role of public lands in their use and development; An Ask the Experts segment in which BLM energy specialists answer student questions online; and a student journal, which allows educators to assess student learning.<o:p></o:p> <br />
<br />
For more information, contact:<br />
Betsy Wooster<br />
WO-Education & Volunteer Specialist<br />
202-452-7731<br />
and<br />
Peg Sorensen <br />
Senior Planning Analyst, NEPA<br />
Washington Office Division of Planning & Science Policy<br />
202-452-0364<img src="file:///C:/DOCUME~1/Eliza/LOCALS~1/Temp/moz-screenshot-4.jpg" alt="" /> | Field trip/Event | PE - Energy production & conservation |
6 7 8 | Rock & Mineral Identification | Students identify common minerals and rocks by observing luster, color, streak, hardness, and other characteristics. Then they identify a “mystery mineral” by determining its specific gravity. | In-class presenter | ES&NRP - Geology & soil |
9 10 11 12 | Rock & Mineral Identification | Students identify common minerals and rocks by observing luster, color, streak, hardness, and other characteristics. Then they identify a “mystery mineral” by determining its specific gravity | In-class presenter | ES&NRP - Geology & soil |
Adult/Family | School Garden mentoring and brainstorming teacher in-service | Let the staff and educators in the museum's Earthworks garden help your elementary or preschool teachers get excited about creating, teaching in and enjoying an interactive garden space at your school. Our focus will be on creating a space that is more than a vegetable garden. We want to help you wit a sustainable outdoor space to encourage imagination, science, peaceful repose and play. | Teacher training | PE - Environment & human health PE - Farming & gardening |
9 10 11 12 Adult/Family | Seeking a Secure Water Future | The DVD comes with the curriculum guide for teachers and students | DVD | P&A - Birds P&A - Aquatic wildlife ES&NRP - Water quality and quantity ES&NRP - Land & watershed health PE - Acequias PE - Cultural ecology PE - Water rights |
K 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Adult/Family | SMNHC Customized School Programs | Teachers: Do you have a project or program you need a wild area for? Give us a call. | Field trip/Event | P&A - Wildlife P&A - Birds P&A - Insects P&A - Native plants P&A - Ecosystems (e.g. prairie, pine forest, bosque, riparian) P&A - Invasive species ES&NRP - Astronomy ES&NRP - Groundwater ES&NRP - Geology & soil ES&NRP - Fire ecology ES&NRP - Land & watershed health PE - Cultural ecology PE - Energy production & conservation PE - Farming & gardening PE - Forestry PE - Outdoor skills & recreation PE - Trash & recycling (pollution prevention) |
K 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Adult/Family | SMNHC Summer Programs | Bring your group up to the Center for a hike. Visit our natural history and conservation exhibit rooms, participate in interpreter-led activities! Available with or without interpretation. | Field trip/Event | P&A - Wildlife P&A - Birds P&A - Insects P&A - Native plants P&A - Ecosystems (e.g. prairie, pine forest, bosque, riparian) P&A - Invasive species ES&NRP - Geology & soil ES&NRP - Fire ecology PE - Cultural ecology PE - Energy production & conservation PE - Outdoor skills & recreation PE - Trash & recycling (pollution prevention) |
3 4 5 | Soil - Its Not Just Dirt | Students will learn about sand, silt, and clay, the three major particle types within each soil. They conduct two experiments to learn more about these particle types. First, they will examine how the particle types affect the rate at which water can move into the soil, through a game and then an experiment. Then they will separate two soils (desert and river) to compare the amounts of sand and silt in each one.
| In-class presenter | ES&NRP - Geology & soil |
6 7 8 | Soil Fractions & Compaction | Students use a pocket penetrometer to measure soil compaction at various locations around the schoolyard. These data allow students to investigate the relationship between schoolyard use and soil compaction. Students then determine the percentage of sand, silt, clay, and organic matter in soil from locations in your schoolyard or their homes.
| In-class presenter | ES&NRP - Geology & soil |
3 4 5 | Solar System | Students learn about the solar system by gathering information on the planets from tables of data and presenting the information to the rest of the class using props. They will then use some of the data to create a graph that illustrates the average temperature on each planet.
| In-class presenter | ES&NRP - Astronomy |
K 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 | Spider Information and Curriculum | There are many sites with insect and spider information on the Web. Here is a selection that students and teachers may find interesting. It also includes links to insect and spider curriculum. | Curriculum/Activity guide | P&A - Insects |
3 4 5 6 7 | Teacher Workshops | Teacher Workshops: The Sandia Mountain Natural History Center offers several teacher workshops throughout the year. Workshops are free (some have a $10 refundable deposit required) and usually include materials – activities, information, and sometimes materials needed for the activities. Certificate of completion given to participants. Workshops can also be scheduled at your school with 10 or more teachers attending. Our workshops, like our programs, are interactive. Contact Susie Davis at the SMNHC 281-5259 with questions or call
August Wainwright at the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science to register,841-2861.
| Teacher training | ES&NRP - Biology ES&NRP - Fire ecology GES - General environmental education P&A - Ecosystems (e.g. prairie, pine forest, bosque, riparian) P&A - Wildlife |
K 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 | The Greatest Good K-12 Teacher Guide | "The Greatest Good" film was produced by the Forest Service in honor of its Centennial celebration in 2005 and provides an in-depth look at natural resource management during the 20th century. The use of this film in a classroom offers an ideal way for students to study many related issues such as forest conservation, the role of fire in our society, wildlife protection, human impacts on the environment, and environmental decision-making in a democracy. This guide offers K-12 educators suggestions for incorporating age-appropriate portions of this film and its bonus materials into the social studies, science, math, and civics classroom. There are also links to complementary activities and lessons from many different organizations. | Curriculum/Activity guide | ES&NRP - Fire ecology ES&NRP - Water quality and quantity GES - General environmental education P&A - Ecosystems (e.g. prairie, pine forest, bosque, riparian) P&A - Endangered species P&A - Invasive species P&A - Wildlife PE - Energy production & conservation PE - Forestry PE - Trash & recycling (pollution prevention) |
4 5 6 | Traveling Ecology Field Program | Classes hike in a wild area near their school with nature interpretation and activities provided by our instructors. Basic ecological terms and principles are illustrated using local natural history examples. Teaching is interactive, hands-on, and inquiry-based. | Field trip/Event | P&A - Wildlife P&A - Ecosystems (e.g. prairie, pine forest, bosque, riparian) |
K 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 | Tree Curriculum - "If Trees Could Talk" and "Greatest Good Teacher Guide" | The "If Trees Could Talk" middle school, environmental history curriculum can be found any time at:
http://www.foresthistory.org/Education/Curriculum. This is a FREE
resource. Our K-12 Greatest Good Teacher Guide can be found at
http://www.foresthistory.org/Education/TGG/Index.htm. This too is a FREE resource. And our main Educational website is http://www.foresthistory.org/Education. | Curriculum/Activity guide | P&A - Botany |
K 1 2 3 4 5 | Trunk Program | Schools--classroom presentations, educational trunks, field trips, water festivals, Earth Day
Project development and implementation
Teaching opportunities
Community conservation projects
Newsletter
Website | Kit/Resource trunk In-class presenter | P&A - Birds P&A - Native plants ES&NRP - Land & watershed health PE - Archaeology PE - Cultural ecology PE - Forestry |
3 4 5 | Vegetation Measurement | This program allows students to conduct a full scientific investigation in the schoolyard to learn about plant composition (what kind of plants are present), plant-cover (how much of the ground is covered in plants), and plant size. We use vegetation monitoring protocols to measure plants in two different sites (e.g., edge vs. center of area, arroyo vs. non-arroyo). The sites we choose will depend on the characteristics of the land near your school.
*You need an area of native vegetation within easy walking distance of your school for this program.
| In-class presenter |
