The purpose of this activity is to determine the amount of moisture input to the local environment by measuring rain and snowfall and to measure the pH of precipitation. To do so students use a rain gauge and a snowboard to measure the daily amount of precipitation. Special pH measuring techniques for precipitation are used to determine the pH of rain and melted snow. Intended outcomes are that students ... Full description.

The purpose of this resource is to record daily measurements of maximum, minimum, and current air and soil temperatures at a common site. One temperature probe is placed inside the instrument shelter while another is installed at a 10 cm depth in the soil. A digital thermometer is used to measure current temperatures as well as daily minimum and maximum temperatures. The daily minimum and maximum ... Full description.

The purpose of this resource is to introduct details on how to use digital soil thermometers. A digital thermometer is used to measure current temperatures as well as daily minimum and maximum temperatures. One temperature probe is placed at a depth of 5 cm in the soil while another is installed at a 50 cm depth. The daily minimum and maximum temperatures are stored by the instrument for a period ... Full description.

The purpose of this resource is to measure soil water content by mass. Students collect soil samples with a trowel or auger and weigh them, dry them, and then weigh them again. The soil water content is determined by calculating the difference between the wet sample mass and the dry sample mass. Full description.

The purpose of this resource is to determine the rate at which water soaks into the ground. Students place two cans into the soil and add water to them to a depth of at least 5 cm. Students measure and record the time it takes the water level to drop a fixed 2 - 4 cm distance. Students repeat the measurement to determine how easily water moves vertically through the soil. Full description.

The purpose of this resource is to measure and classify the plant life at a Land Cover Site to help determine the MUC classification. Full description.

The purpose of this resource is to observe when selected bird species first arrive at your study site, and to count the numbers until few or none of these birds are seen. Students select a common and easily identifiable bird species in their region and observe when the bird species first arrives. Students use binoculars or telescopes to scan a study site and count how many they see. They continue ... Full description.

The purpose of this resource is to have students observe their lilac plants and identify the five phenophases (first leaf, full or 95% leafed, first bloom, full bloom and end of bloom) for each lilac plant. During the growing season, students will observe their lilac plants and identify the five phenophases (first leaf, full or 95% leafed, first bloom, full bloom and end of bloom) for each lilac plant. ... Full description.

The purpose of this resource is to observe the flowering and leaf stages of selected garden plants throughout the year. After a phenological garden is planted, students observe the growth of leaves and blooming of flowers on the plants. These plants were selected because each plant blooms at a different time in the year. Full description.

The purpose of this resource is to determine the transparency of water. Students measure water transparency at their undisturbed study site using a transparency tube or Secchi disk. Full description.