Idaho
Nature Probe - Idaho Nature Probe is a free,
web-based, interactive project designed to
engage students and citizen scientists in
authentic scientific processes. Nature Probe
encourages pupils to measure aspects of
their local environment and report their
results over the Internet. Data from schools
throughout Idaho are then available for
comparison.
Classroom
or Group Presentations
ESER staff members are available for presentations to groups
and classrooms in southeastern Idaho. Presentations are
adapted to grade-level and are free of charge. Presentations
are limited to two per class per year due to increased
demand.
Request a presentation
Plants and Animals of Southeastern Idaho
Birds of
Southeastern Idaho - Learn what makes a bird a bird! A
fun slide presentation with lots of pictures
illustrating what makes a bird different from other
animals. Learn basic bird characteristics and about
specific birds living in southeastern Idaho's desert.
Reptiles
of Southeastern Idaho - Students will enjoy discovering
what reptiles are, what makes them different from birds
and mammals, and how important they are in our
environment. The presentation also includes general
characteristics, adaptation, and reptile importance in
the food chain.
Plant and
Animal Desert Adaptations - The desert is a harsh
environment. For plants and animals who live there,
adapting is necessary for survival. Discover habits and
coping techniques of the animals and plants of the
desert in this one-hour slideshow presentation geared to
grade level.
· Lewis and Clark and Plants and Animals of the
Sagebrush Steppe - Lewis and Clark were naturalists and
wrote about the animals they encountered on their trek.
Students will discover the native plants and animals
Lewis and Clark studied and what we have learned about
these native species since their expedition.
Insects
of Southeastern Idaho - From butterflies to bugs, there
are more insects on our planet than any other kind of
creature. This presentation introduces the anatomy and
life cycles of insects in general and highlights some of
southeastern Idaho's more interesting creepy-crawlies.
· Winter Adaptations of Southeastern Idaho Animals -
When winter comes animals work in many ways to prepare
for the cold weather just as we do. Learn about
migration, hibernation and specific adaptations of local
animals.
Life
Cycles of Southeastern Idaho Animals - The life cycle of
an organism refers to the sequence of developmental
stages that it passes through on its way to adulthood.
Learn about the amazing variety of life cycles within
the animal world.
Optical
Illusion and Camouflage - Are things always what they
seem? Students will give their brains a workout in this
presentation as they try to make sense of optical
illusions. Volunteers from the audience participate in
demonstrations that reveal how the brain can be tricked
and how animals use optical illusion to protect
themselves.
Physical
Science
Geology
of the Snake River Plain - Southeastern Idaho is a area
of diverse geologic features and a fascinating
geological history. Students will learn of the region's
past and be introduced to basic geological terms.
Basic
Radiation and Environmental Surveillance - This
introduction to radioactivity and radiation will cover
the basics of radioactivity, sources of radioactivity
and the basics of environmental surveillance. This
presentation includes a slideshow and hands-on
activities geared to grade level.
How
Nuclear Reactors Work - During this one-hour
presentation, students will learn how a nuclear reactor
works and about the different kinds of reactors used in
the United States. An overview of INL's nuclear reactor
history will be included.
Comparison of Energy Sources and INL's role in the
future of nuclear power - Students will learn to
distinguish between renewable and nonrenewable sources
of energy and to investigate a variety of renewable
energy resources and compare the benefits and
disadvantages of each.
Water
Cycle - This is a hands-on unit which introduces the
students to the continuous re-cycling of water that
occurs all around us, all the time. The students will
observe the changing state of water by the use of
models, simulations, and experiments.
Weather
Basics - Students will have fun while learning some
basics about weather and climate. Topics covered will
include heat, temperature, convection, clouds, water
cycle, winds, precipitation, air pressure, and climate
All About
Air - Students will have fun while learning some basics
about air. Students will explore the properties of air
and discover that air occupies space, has weight, and
exerts pressure.
All About
Water - This presentation helps students to learn about
the physical and chemical properties of water, surface
tension, osmosis, and how water can be broken down into
hydrogen and oxygen.
Ecology
Biodiversity and Threatened Species - Endangered species
occur everywhere, and although the specific creatures
change from place to place, the processes and biology
contributing to endangered species are universal.
Students will learn about a locally threatened species,
as well as universal problems threatening biodiversity.
Paper or
Plastic - This presentation will lead students through
an established format for environmental investigation,
one that is used in many types of research. The process
involves four basic tasks: 1) Brainstorm pros and cons,
2) Research as many of the pros and cons as possible, 3)
Construct a balanced argument for and against either
side, and 4) Present your findings and conclusions. By
modeling this process, the students will learn how to
evaluate other environmental questions and come up with
their own opinions.
Animal
Classification System and Scientific Names – Students
are introduced to the concept of classification and its
uses. They learn how to make a simple branching key and
the methods used by scientists to classify and name
organisms.
Miscellaneous
The
Language of Science - Science contains a language all
its own that looks difficult. Actually, scientific
vocabulary is a collection of roots, prefixes, and
suffixes put together to describe events, body parts, or
functions, etc. In this presentation, participants will
learn the more common roots, prefixes and suffixes used
in science and their meaning(s).
Basic GPS
- ESER will provide a curriculum and classroom
instruction on the Global Position System (GPS). In this
presentation the student will learn what GPS is and how
it works. Students will receive training and hands-on
experiences in using GPS.
Careers
in Environmental Science - Environmental science is the
study of our surroundings, including how our actions
alter our surroundings. There are many fields of study
which make up the environmental sciences. This
presentation focuses on various jobs in environmental
science and presents some real-life ESER projects that
involve these different disciplines.
Scientific Method - This presentation covers the reason
scientists use the scientific method and the steps of
the scientific method. Students then practice using the
scientific by using an experiment on surface tension.
Request a presentation. For questions or comments,
please contact Alana Jensen, or 227-9020.
Plants and Animals of Southeastern Idaho
Ecology