BLM Learning Landscapes Teachers--Activities

A Classification Activity
Classroom Activities from Science & Children, October 1993 poster back
Students classify Paleoindian artifacts based on their attributes.
http://www.blm.gov/education/00_resources/articles/mystery_of_the_mesa/posterback.html

A Crowd of Plants
Classroom Activity from Science & Children, May 2000
In this activity students examine the effects of shade on plant growth and apply what they learn to the rain forest situation.
http://www.blm.gov/education/00_resources/articles/green_mansions/classroom.html

A Golden Opportunity for Science
Science & Children, Feb. 1993, 25 - 32
Gold mining and gold's history, allure, and unique physical and chemical qualities explored, includes classroom activities and poster.
http://www.blm.gov/education/going_4_the_gold/gold_poster.html

A Great Basin Full of Activities
Science & Children, May 1995, 31 - 32
A dozen activities on Great Basin ecology and management, covering effects of salt on plants, water conservation and evaporation rates

A Problem of Numbers
Classroom activity from Science & Children
In this activity students investigate growth in population of wild horses and burros and consider factors that might reduce that growth.
http://www.blm.gov/education/00_resources/articles/wild_bunch/wildbunch3.html

All Shapes and Sizes
Classroom Activity from Science & Children, March 1998, p. 39
Students describe and analyze landscapes at various scales to draw different conclusions in this activity.
http://www.blm.gov/education/00_resources/articles/Columbia_river_basin/classroom.html

An Energy Budget
Classroom Activity from Science & Children, May 2002
In this activity, students consider ways in which they can personally reduce energy consumption.
http://www.blm.gov/education/00_resources/articles/energy/energy7.html

An Energy Profile
Classroom Activity from Science & Children, May 2002
In this activity, students examine how energy is produced and consumed in their home, their community, or their state.
http://www.blm.gov/education/00_resources/articles/energy/energy5.html

An Excavation Investigation
Science & Children, April 1992, posterback
Students determine the function of various excavation units based on objects, clues and facts provided
http://www.blm.gov/education/00_resources/articles/science_in_process/posterback.html

Artifacts in Context
Science & Children, April 1992, 28 - 29
Three activities illustrate the importance of context and site mapping in studying archaeological clues and artifacts
http://www.blm.gov/education/00_resources/articles/science_in_process/article.html

Artifacts of the Future; Experimental Archaeology
Classroom Activities from Science & Children, October 1993 p. 39
Students describe today’s objects as future artifacts and replicate ancient artifacts and draw conclusions in these two classroom activities.
http://www.blm.gov/education/00_resources/articles/mystery_of_the_mesa/classroom.html

Blowin' in the Wind
Classroom Activity from Science & Children, May 2002
In this activity, students make pinwheels and use the power of the wind to do work.
http://www.blm.gov/education/00_resources/articles/energy/energy11.html

Chronology and Historical Records
Science & Children, April 1992, 31 - 32
Chronology of archaeological data; use and accuracy of historical records explored in these activities
http://www.blm.gov/education/00_resources/articles/science_in_process/article.html

Classifying Objects
Science & Children, April 1992, 29 - 30
Three classification activities; students organize familiar objects into categories, sort and classify pottery sherds, answer questions
http://www.blm.gov/education/00_resources/articles/science_in_process/article.html

Classroom Agriculture
Classroom Activity from Science & Children, May 1993 p. 24
Five classroom activities on agricultural history and modern techniques that encourage students to learn more about the importance of agriculture in their own region.
http://www.blm.gov/education/00_resources/articles/hupobi/classroom.html

Create a Habitat
Classroom Activity from Science & Children, March 1998, p. 40
Students design a home for an animal after determining the elements it needs for survival.
http://www.blm.gov/education/00_resources/articles/Columbia_river_basin/classroom.html

Creature Feature
Science & Children, March 1997, 35
Students learn about riparian zones, design a creature adapted to living in a riparian zone, then answer questions about its features
http://www.blm.gov/education/00_resources/articles/some_like_it_hot/classroom.html

Cultural Crossroads
Science & Children, Feb. 1993, p. 29
Students research contributions of various cultures during America's Gold Rush and describe contributions of their own culture.
http://www.blm.gov/education/going_4_the_gold/culture.html

Demands on the Land
Posterback activity from Science & Children
In this role-playing activity students research and debate viewpoints of different groups regarding removal of wild horses from the range.
http://www.blm.gov/education/00_resources/articles/wild_bunch/wildbunch7a.html

Deposition, Lithification and Weathering of Sedimentary Rock
Classroom Activity from Science & Children, March 1999 poster back
In this activity students make inferences and predictions about how sediments will settle, they make a model of a sedimentary rock and preform simulated weathering activities on it. Background information on Arches, Hoodoos and Canyons.

Earthshaking Events
Classroom Activity from Science & Children, Feb. 2001 p. 33
Students create their own version of a seismograph to understand how scientists use this tool to measure earthquake vibrations.
http://www.blm.gov/education/00_resources/articles/mojave/mojave02a.html

Ecosystems In Your Backyard, In Your World
Classroom Activities from Science & Children, Nov/Dec 1994, pp 38 - 39
Sixteen ideas for teaching ecosystem science topics in the classroom, including developing a field guide to local trees, conducting experiments on successionand acid rain, and investigating schoolyard micro-habitats.
http://www.blm.gov/education/00_resources/articles/understanding_ecosystem_management/classroom.html

Energy Conservation and Transformation
Classroom Activities from Science & Children, November/December 1995 p. 38 - 40
Students study different types of train engines and analyze differences in energy efficiency. They create an energy flow diagram for different locomotives.
http://www.blm.gov/education/00_resources/articles/steel_rails_and_iron_horses/classroom.html

Energy for the Future
Classroom Activity from Science & Children, May 2002
In this activity, students explore how a fictional community will meet its future energy needs.
http://www.blm.gov/education/00_resources/articles/energy/energy6.html

Energy Resources/Wind Energy
Classroom Activity from Science & Children, September 1996 p. 47-48
Students research and report on various energy resources. They then construct anemometers to collect data needed in planning a wind farm.
http://www.blm.gov/education/high_plains/wind.html/energy_resource.html

Exploring Ancient Waterways
Classroom Activities from Science & Children, May 1993 poster back
In these four activities, students model and test ancient technologies used in agriculture such as water diversion and water retention, and explore how technology solved problems, then and now.
http://www.blm.gov/education/00_resources/articles/hupobi/poster.html

Exploring Extinction
Classroom Activities from Science & Children, October 1993 p. 37
Students explore causes of extinction and analyze how changes in their environment might affect wildlife.
http://www.blm.gov/education/00_resources/articles/mystery_of_the_mesa/classroom.html

Freezing, Permafrost and Plant Growth
Classroom Activity from Science & Children, May 1996 p. 34 - 35
Three activities that demonstrate effects of temperature and freezing on decomposition and the effects of permafrost on plant growth. Illustrates why decomposition is different in northern regions, such as Alaska.
http://www.blm.gov/education/00_resources/articles/alaskas_cold_desert/classroom.html

Full Steam Ahead: How to Build a Steam Engine
Classroom Activities from Science & Children, November/December 1995 Poster back
Students build a steam generator system to power a single piston engine in this four-part exercise.
http://www.blm.gov/education/00_resources/articles/steel_rails_and_iron_horses/posterback.html

GIS and Data Activities
Classroom Activities from Science & Children, January 2000 p. 40
Students create and discuss data sets to use in decision making and create their own grid systems in these three activities.
http://www.blm.gov/education/00_resources/articles/gis/index.html

GIS: A New Way to See
Based on Science & Children article, January 2000
Introduces students to technologies related to Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and GIS applications to natural resources decision making. Includes classroom activities and a poster.
http://www.blm.gov/education/00_resources/articles/gis/index.html

Gold Mining Activities
Science & Children, Feb. 1993, 29 - 31
More than a dozen activities on gold mining, includes mock gold panning and building a sluice box and a heap leach operation.
http://www.blm.gov/education/00_resources/articles/mining/fortheclassroom.html

Groundwater Movement
Classroom Activity from Science & Children, September 1996 p. 47
In this activity, students predict how water will move through rock materials such as sand, gravel and clay and then they test their hypotheses.
http://www.blm.gov/education/high_plains/groundwater.html

Heat Affects the Tracks
Classroom Activities from Science & Children, November/December 1995 p. 38
Students learn about thermal expansion and research ways engineers allow for heat expansion problems in design.
http://www.blm.gov/education/00_resources/articles/steel_rails_and_iron_horses/classroom.html

How’s the Weather In There?
Classroom Activities from Science & Children, October 1993 p. 38
Students construct a simple greenhouse to study the “greenhouse effect.”
http://www.blm.gov/education/00_resources/articles/mystery_of_the_mesa/classroom.html

It's a Gas!
Classroom Activity from Science & Children, May 2002
Demonstration of how the decay of organic materials can produce biogas (methane)
http://www.blm.gov/education/00_resources/articles/energy/energy8.html

Join the Club
Science & Children, March 1997, p. 35
Students join one of four "clubs" representing different adaptation methods used by desert plants and research plant members of the club
http://www.blm.gov/education/00_resources/articles/some_like_it_hot/classroom.html

Keeping Cool
Classroom Activity from Science & Children, Feb 2001 poster back
In this activity, students test the effectiveness of various ways animals keep cool in desert environments.
http://www.blm.gov/education/00_resources/articles/mojave/mojaveposterback2.html - Anchor-3936

Let the Sun Shine In
Classroom Activity from Science & Children, May 2002
In this activity, students make solar collectors and experiment to see which ones heat water most effectively.
http://www.blm.gov/education/00_resources/articles/energy/energy9.html

Life in a Pothole
Classroom Activity from Science & Children, March 1999, p. 39
Students are introduced to potholes and life within them. They speculate how various life forms come to populate potholes and create a classroom pothole to study.
http://www.blm.gov/education/colplateau/classroom/

Life in the Desert
Classroom Activity from Science & Children, March 1999, p. 39
In this activity, students practice water conservation techniques similar to those a desert animal might employ to cope with scarce and unpredictable water sources.
http://www.blm.gov/education/colplateau/classroom/

Make Your Own Field Guide
Classroom Activity from Science & Children, March 1999 poster back
Students observe, record, and identify the wildlife, plants and geology of their area in this activity. They then classify the data and prepare a local field guide. Includes background and extensions.

Map Relief
Classroom Activities from Science & Children, October 1993 p. 38
Students create a relief map of the United States and simulate what happens when ice caps melt.
http://www.blm.gov/education/00_resources/articles/mystery_of_the_mesa/classroom.html

Mapping Deserts
Classroom Activity from Science & Children, Feb. 2001, p. 33
In this activity, students research, map and report on the world’s deserts, including subtropical, coastal, interior, and rain shadow deserts. Correlated to National Geography Standard
http://www.blm.gov/education/00_resources/articles/mojave/mojave02a.html

Mass Affects Friction
Classroom Activities from Science & Children, November/December 1995 p. 38
A simple exercise using a spring scale, some books and string illustrates the relationship between mass and friction.
http://www.blm.gov/education/00_resources/articles/steel_rails_and_iron_horses/classroom.html

Mixing it Up
Classroom Activity from Science & Children, Feb 2001 poster back
In this activity students examine the composition of soil and make their own soil mixtures to understand the process of soil formation and how soils contribute to plant growth.
http://www.blm.gov/education/00_resources/articles/mojave/mojaveposterback2.html

Native or Not?
Science & Children, May 1995, posterback
Students explore local plant communities, collect plants, research their history, and determine if they are native or introduced

Northern Exposures, Tundra Adaptations Investigation: Size and Heat
Classroom Activity from Science & Children, May 1996 poster back
In this activity, students study the relationship between size and heat through special investigations. Students then use illustrated Animal Adaptation Cards to relate principles learned to animal adaptations.
http://www.blm.gov/education/00_resources/articles/alaskas_cold_desert/posterback.html

People in the Past
Exhibit and CD-ROM
Multimedia exhibit and CD-ROM on the ancient Puebloan (Anasazi) farmers of southwest Colorado; includes online activities
http://www.co.blm.gov/ahc/trexbt.htm

Planning a Campground in Utah
Classroom Activities from Science & Children, January 2000 poster back
Students analyze map layers provided to make decisions on placement of a campground on public lands in Utah.
http://www.blm.gov/education/gisactivity/index2.html

Planning a Conservation Community
Science & Children, March 1997, 35
Students create a desert community that protects important desert resources; a set of questions guides their design
http://www.blm.gov/education/00_resources/articles/some_like_it_hot/classroom.html

Please Pass the Wheatgrass
Posterback activity from Science & Children
In this activity students demonstrate importance of monitoring populations, food, and water on the range.
http://www.blm.gov/education/00_resources/articles/wild_bunch/wildbunch7a.html

Renewable and Nonrenewable Energy
Classroom Activity from Science & Children, March 1998, p. 40
In these two activities, students distinguish between energy sources that are renewable and those that are nonrenewable, and discuss costs and benefits of each type.
http://www.blm.gov/education/00_resources/articles/Columbia_river_basin/classroom.html

Restoring the System
Science & Children, May 1995, poster back
Students study ecosystem concepts, apply problem solving skills by designing a restoration project on Marys River, Nevada.
http://www.blm.gov/education/great_basin/restoring_the_system.html

Riparian Activity
Classroom Activity from Science & Children, March 1999, p. 39
Students compare the water retention capabilities of both meandering and channelized streams through simulations in the classrooms.
http://www.blm.gov/education/colplateau/classroom/index.html

Riparian Areas, Healthy or Unhealthy
Classroom Activity from Science & Children, September 1996
Students learn to identify characteristics of a healthy riparian area, they make observations at a local riparian area, then design ways to improve it in this classroom activity. Includes background information.
http://www.blm.gov/education/riparian/rp.html

Setting the World Stage
Science & Children, April 1992, 27 - 28
Set of activities explores ancient maps, trade routes, navigation techniques of early explorers of North America
http://www.blm.gov/education/00_resources/articles/science_in_process/index.html

Silent Invaders
Interactive website
Website on invasive plants and animals; includes field guide, interactive game, videos with background information, and educator's guide
http://www.fsu.edu/~imsp/silent_invaders/new_weeds/main_html/

Sound Conductors and the Doppler Effect
Classroom Activities from Science & Children, November/December 1995 p. 38
Two classroom activities illustrate how different materials affect the speed of sound and how the pitch of sound varies with distance (the Doppler effect).

Stop the Flow!
Classroom Activity from Science & Children, May 2000
In this activity students simulate protected and unprotected streamsides and compare their impact on aquatic ecosystems.
http://www.blm.gov/education/00_resources/articles/green_mansions/classroom.html

The Great Debate in Midasville
Science & Children, Feb. 1993, posterback
Science-technology-and society role-play; students debate reopening an old mining district that is prospering as a tourist attraction
http://www.blm.gov/education/going_4_the_gold/debate.html

The Grizzly Bear: A Debate
Classroom Activity from Science & Children, March 1998 poster back
In this activity, students debate the proposed reintroduction of the grizzly bear into some of its former habitat.
http://www.blm.gov/education/00_resources/articles/Columbia_river_basin/posterback.html

The Line on Time
Classroom Activities from Science & Children, October 1993 pp. 36 - 37
Students create an illustrated time line in this activity.
http://www.blm.gov/education/00_resources/articles/mystery_of_the_mesa/classroom.html

The Mountain Blows Its Top
Classroom Activity from Science & Children, May 2000
In this activity students demonstrate some of the geologic processes involved in the eruption of Mount St. Helens in May 1980
http://www.blm.gov/education/00_resources/articles/green_mansions/posterback.html

The Power of Water
Classroom Activity from Science & Children, March 1998, p. 40
Students use a pinwheel to illustrate hydroelectric power in this activity.
http://www.blm.gov/education/00_resources/articles/Columbia_river_basin/classroom.html

The Question in Brookdale
Science & Children, March 1997, posterback
By role-playing, students learn the complexities of accommodating competing demands of desert land use while protecting resources
http://www.blm.gov/education/00_resources/articles/some_like_it_hot/posterback.html

The Question in Smithdale
Classroom Activity from Science & Children, November/December 1994 poster back
Students simulate a “public meeting” to resolve concerns about a proposed land exchange involving public lands and the town of Smithdale. Includes background and position cards.
http://www.blm.gov/education/00_resources/articles/understanding_ecosystem_management/posterback.html

The Question of Ferret Reintroduction on the Public Lands
Classroom Activity from Science & Children, September 1996 poster back
Role-playing activity in which students present the positions of various interest groups to a mock town council on the topic of reintroduction of the endangered black footed ferret. Includes background, interest group “position cards” and extensions.
http://www.blm.gov/education/high_plains/ferretintro.html

Three Volcanoes
Classroom Activity from Science & Children, May 2000
In this activity students demonstrate three types of volcanoes--shield volcanoes, stratovolcanoes, and cinder cones.
http://www.blm.gov/education/00_resources/articles/green_mansions/classroom.html

Transportation of Logs Using a Single-Span Skyline Yarding System
Classroom Activity from Science & Children, May 2000
In this activity students demonstrate a system used for moving logs up a mountainside for transport.
http://www.blm.gov/education/00_resources/articles/green_mansions/posterback.html

WaterWorks
Classroom Activity from Science & Children, May 2002
In this activity, students make their own waterwheels.
http://www.blm.gov/education/00_resources/articles/energy/energy10.html

Watersheds All Around, Scavenger Hunt
Classroom Activity from Science & Children, March 1998, p. 39
In these two activities students explore what a watershed is and how it works by simulating a watershed in the classroom and then making observations outside.
http://www.blm.gov/education/00_resources/articles/Columbia_river_basin/classroom.html

Waxy Leaves
Science & Children, March 1997, posterback
Activity illustrates how waxy leaves prevent water from escaping and help desert plants retain moisture.
http://www.blm.gov/education/00_resources/articles/some_like_it_hot/posterback.html

Weed Invaders
Classroom Activity from Science & Children, February 2000 p. 33 - 34
Students set up plant competitions in the classroom to illustrate how weeds can threaten native plants.
http://www.blm.gov/education/00_resources/articles/mojave/mojave02a.html - Anchor-30184

What a Coin Can Tell Us
Science & Children, April 1992, p.29
Set of activities on the study of coins (numismatics) and techniques for learning about the past through coins
http://www.blm.gov/education/00_resources/articles/science_in_process/article.html

What Is Wood?
Classroom Activity from Science & Children, May 2000
In this activity students list products made from wood.
http://www.blm.gov/education/00_resources/articles/green_mansions/classroom.html

What's Wrong With This Picture?
Information and classroom activities
Information about weeds with classroom activities
http://www.blm.gov/education/weed/weed.html

Who Lives Here?
Science & Children, March 1997, p. 35
Students study habitat depletion, research their community and compare the land today to the land during early settlement
http://www.blm.gov/education/00_resources/articles/some_like_it_hot/classroom.html