About
"
Ecosystem" Field Studies Center, (Ecosystem) Moscow,
Russia, and
Creek Farm Education Associates (CreekFarm), Bozeman, Montana,
have collaborated to create environmental and ecological education opportunities for
teachers and students. In particular, we are pleased to offer educational materials focusing
on ecological field studies as well as on-line graduate courses in teaching and learning about nature.
Working together, Ecosystem and Creek Farm have also established the Creek Farm Network
(CreekFarm.Net)
devoted to connecting people who are interested in teaching about nature and ecology. CreekFarm.Net is a
network of organizations and people who are devoted to educating for a sustainable and healthy environment.
You can visit and explore the network at CreekFarm.Net website.
Ecological Field Studies Materials
Ecological Field Studies Materials help teachers and students to learn ecological
concepts and field study skills in the context their local environment. Materials include 40
ecological field study activities illustrated with videos of students and teachers conducting
ecological research at "Ecosystem" Field Studies Center, northeast of Moscow, Russia.
Each field study has a 5-9 minute video featuring real students conducting the ecological
field techniques in nature. Each video illustrates the primary instructional outcomes and the
major steps in accomplishing the task including reporting the results. Accompanying teacher
materials (7-20 pages of text for each lesson) include background ecological concepts, specific
details about the field study techniques, approaches to analysis of the data collected and suggestions
for conducting the field study with students.
The 40 ecological field study lessons cover a wide variety of activities focusing on aquatic
ecology, botany, forest ecology, soil studies, landscape analysis, mammal studies, ornithology and
human effects on nature. The lessons are divided into appropriate seasons with 10 lessons for each season of the year.
Ecological field studies begin with basic skills in Autumn, proceed through Winter and Spring with appropriate seasonal
activities and culminate in advanced studies in Summer. The lessons are based on five main themes: landscape, botany,
zoology, water ecology and environmental monitoring. Links to descriptions of the seasonal field studies are found at
the top of this page. Click on the seasonal buttons and then select specific lessons to preview.
Ecological field studies promote a wide variety of student outcomes that correspond
to established science education standards in many countries. These include content standards in
the areas of earth science, life science, biology, ecology, science process skills and the nature of
science. Intellectual skill development includes questioning, data collection, analysis and drawing
conclusions. Affective outcomes include an appreciation for the processes of science and positive values
related to natural, scientific and cultural systems.
Ecological Field Studies Demo Disk
At this time we have a free and interesting demonstration disk that explains our ecological
field studies approach. The demo disk has short excerpts from all the seasonal field study videos
as well as sample text from all the teacher manuals. The disk has an entertaining automatic walk
through which describes the field study approach, explains how field studies meet education standards and has
automatic electronic contacts for the Creek Farm Network. Simply click here to email us and request a free
demo disk.
Email link: creekfarm@creekfarm.net
Ecological Field Studies 4CD Set
It is now possible to purchase the complete set of 40 seasonal Ecological Field Study Materials
in an attractive 4 compact disk set. These compact disks are compatible with Mac and PC computers.
The teacher background information and manuals can be printed out for easy reference. The videos are
suitable for individual student or whole class instruction. To get more information and to purchase the
complete 4CD set click here to go to the CreekFarm.Net store.
Link to store: Creekfarm Shop
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