Measuring and recording the weather around us using a science notebook in second grade. part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This activity is a field investigation where students measure, record and describe weather conditions using common tools (rain gauge, thermometer, and barometer). They will compare their observations to Weather.com (online) and the local newspapers to compare their findings, and record these observations.

Investigating Macroinvertebrates: How Clean is Our Lake? part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This 3-part lesson begins with a field activity beside a lake or stream where students collect and identify macro invertebrates. During the second and third portions of the lesson, students conduct research to answer questions that they have regarding the macro invertebrates that they have identified and then based on the types of macro invertebrates found make a general determination of the cleanliness of the lake.

Schoolyard BioBlitz: Monthly Observations of Plants, Insects, Weather, the Sun and Moon part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
In this field lab students will go outside and observe a particular area of the schoolyard. Students will design investigations to complete outside and will use outdoor observations to provide evidence for our indoor activities.

Snails: Population Calculation in an Aquatic Environment part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
In this field investigation, students will identify and determine the population size of snails in an aquatic environment.

Minnehaha Falls: Observing Changes in Nature through Drawing and Writing part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
The activity is a field trip to Minnehaha Falls where students will observe and record their findings in a science notebook.

The Moon in Motion: Monitoring the Moon's Phases part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
The activity is an observational lesson in the phases of the moon with an attached calendar and video links.

Identifying plant family characteristics part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This activity is designed for students to discover how making observations of the environment is the key to making sound predictions. Students will also learn how both positive and negative outcomes of these predictions can affect and shape future decisions.

Why are there seasons? A study of phenology part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This activity is a field investigation where students gather data to understand phenological changes.

Phenology Weekly part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
Students will raise questions about the natural world and seek answers by making careful observations about the weather. Students will measure, record and describe weather conditions using common tools, like thermometer, anemometer, rain gauge and possibly, light meter.

Investigating Karst topography and its connection to SE Minnesota sinkholes and cave formations. part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This activity is a field investigation where students will be able to observe sinkholes located in the southeastern Minnesota area and a cave system in Forestville State Park which will assist them in defining Karst topography.

The Rivers that Connect Us- Stories from the Land part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This activity takes students through the historical and geological events that shaped the areas near the Minnesota and Mississippi river confluence.

Topographical Maps, Contour Lines and Profiles part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This activity is a field investigation where students locate a given object using cartography tools, create a topographic map and profile of a designated area, and interpret the Earth’s surface in their area using a professional topographic map.

Virtual Inquiry Field Lesson part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
The use of new technological motion sensing cameras creates a motivation for students in this life science lesson.

Geology of the Credit River at Hidden Valley Park part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
Short Description: This is an inquiry based field investigation where students gather data on the Credit River from the rocks in the river bed, water speed, and maps. Students interpret their findings and develop new questions.

Effectiveness of MN dams in water retention/ Efectividad de represas en Minnesota con respecto a la retencion de agua part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This activity is a field trip investigation where students gather stream flow, volume, depth & height (area) data on Ramsey County dams (Keller and Round lake), interpret their findings and make in-depth observations in order to assess the effectiveness of dams through the season and estimate the life-spam of the dams in years.

Investigating Stream Characteristics and Discharge: An Interdisciplinary Approach part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This activity is a interdisciplinary field investigation where students will form observations and make calculations about stream characteristics and stream flow.

Field Activity: Exploring Glaciers, Ancient Seas, and Volcanism part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
In a field investigation to Interstate State Park, students determine lava flow boundaries and observe an ancient rift valley. They also examine differential erosion rates that create a waterfall, and examine the local basalts for evidence of glaciation, including the world-famous potholes.

Investigating the Long Meadow Lake Unit of the MN Valley National Wildlife Refuge to Determine if the Bass Ponds Trailhead Wetlands is a Stable Ecosystem part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
In this investigation, students gather biotic and abiotic data and samples in the field, develop an experiment to test another abiotic factor in the lab, synthesize group data, interpret their findings and make a claim on the health of the wetland ecosystem.

The Art of Observation part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
Students improve their written observations by using their 5 senses and words that are relatable to others. Create statements that are based on observable facts in the natural world.

Adventures in ABC & 1, 2, 3 part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This activity is an indoor/outdoor activity that incorporates both literacy and scientific observation to make an ABC book based on Antler, Bear, Canoe by Betsy Bowen. Family participation is encouraged.