Following evolutionary theory and an agriculture model, ecosystem research has stressed bottom-up dynamics, implying that top wild predators are epiphenomenal effects of more basic causes. As such, they are assumed expendable. A more modern co-evolutionary and wilderness approach--trophic cascades--instead suggests that top predators, whose…

The Harvard Forest Schoolyard Ecology Program provides teachers and students with the opportunity and materials to participate in regionally focused ecological studies under the guidance of a mentor scientist working on a similar study. The Harvard Forest is part of a national network of ecological research sites known as the Long Term Ecological…

Students learn science best with activities that mirror the way scientists work. This article describes how geologists investigate groundwater flow systems in areas of karst topography--geologic formations shaped by dissolving bedrock--and provides a way for students to replicate this research. Students also use electric current to model water…

Long Island Sound is an estuary of national significance and provides important economic, recreational, and aesthetic value to the citizens of Connecticut and New York. Investigations have been conducted regarding living marine resources and nutrient loading. However, Long Island Sound is often overlooked as an educational resource. This guide is…

Reading "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" aloud to her sixth-grade students inspired this author to create a mathematics activity based on budgeting for school supplies for Hogwarts School. In that lesson, each student was assigned a name from the Hogwarts School roster and allotted a different dollar amount for his/her budget. Students…

Describes teaching ecology by using highway travel. Provides an outline for the travel observation checklist. Discusses some practical information for using the activity. (YP)

Presented is an activity designed to teach the use of the scientific method to non-science majors. Collecting, classification, and follow-up activities for a beach trip are discussed. Two simple dichotomous keys are included. (CW)

Describes a fieldwork project in archaeology for teachers. Discusses one teacher's involvement in the Nevada program including field techniques and the development of a classroom lesson. Gives an address for obtaining information about the program. (CW)

Different types of spiders, their ranges and habits are discussed. Activities associated with the study of spiders are suggested. Four references are listed which may be of interest to beginners. (CW)

Every school, no matter how urbanized, has an outdoor locale that can be used to expand and enrich classroom learning. It may be the school yard, the surrounding grounds, or the managed and landscaped lawns or garden. Or perhaps a park or overgrown vacant lot is within walking distance. This guide will help elementary and junior high school…

Background information, procedures, and suggestions for bird feeder studies easily conducted in high school or middle school settings are provided. Data collection and analysis are discussed. Examples of charts produced by these activities are given. (CW)

Many teachers have found that, no matter how enjoyable ecological studies are, students tend to dislike the computation of the large amounts of data gathered. Included is a description of an experiment that utilized time-saving features as well as the instructional and motivational benefits of using a computer spreadsheet program to analyze and…

Described are some of the considerations necessary in planning a field studies course in the tropics. Discussed are site selection; planning and preparation; course structure; the advantages of travel courses; and recommendations concerning liability, multiple instructors, hotels, sailboats, and tours. A list of 26 references is included. (CW)

Two designs of undergraduate terrestrial ecology and behavior field courses are described and compared. These include using a variety of projects and using a single individual research project. The relative educational benefits of each are considered and the advantages of each type of course are discussed. (Author/CW)

Described is a field trip for high school and college students to the country of Belize to study tropical ecology. Discussed are planning and special considerations. Included are a sample schedule and a planning guide. (CW)