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.

Investigating the Minnesota River's Glacial History Near Henderson, MN. part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This activity is a field investigation where students make observations in the Minnesota River valley, discuss their findings amongst other student groups, and describe how those observations fit with the general geology of Minnesota.

Investigation erosion in our world part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This activity is a field investigation where students go out to a water source and observe erosion that has taken place.

Using Oreo Cookies to Discover the Moon Phases part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This is a guided inquiry investigation where students record and gather visual information of what the moon phases look like.

How does weather change? part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This activity is a field investigation where students gather temperature and weather data in the a.m and p.m. and develop a new, experimental question to predict temperature over the course of the year.

Geologic History Field Investigation - Minnehaha Falls part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This activity is an inquiry-based field investigation of the geologic history of the Minnehaha Falls and St. Anthony Falls areas of Minneapolis. Students will be introduced to rocks and the stories rocks tell in a genuine geologic context, rather than as samples in the classroom.

Environmental Ed. Reading Poetry Fluently part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This activity produces a fluent choral reading of Our Big Home: An Earth Poem, by Linda Glaser, when cooperative student groups rehearse, conduct vocabulary word study, and perform for their 4th grade peers.

Critter Catalog-Creating a Field Guide to Minnesota Animals part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This activity will help students learn about Minnesota animals and characteristics that distinguish them from one another.

Investigating local stream discharge part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This activity is a field investigation where students calculate stream discharge, develop and complete an investigation involving the stream, interpret their findings, and report to their peers.

Measuring Discharge and Flow in the Rum River part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This activity is a field investigation where students observe, predict, and gather data on steam velocity, erosion, and discharge.

A Rocking Walking Tour: Investigating Architectural Rocks in downtown St. Paul, MN part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This is a guided inquiry field investigation in an urban setting. This investigation focuses on making observations, recording information, asking questions, and identifying the types of rocks used on buildings in downtown St. Paul, MN.

Investigating River Flow: Calculating the discharge of a stream. part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This activity is a field investigation in which students will gather data from a stream to calculate the discharge. They will need to interpret their findings and examine what factors could change the discharge of a stream over time.

White Bass, A Taste of Home? part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
Hmong students will study white bass and it's management in St. Paul.

Investigating Steam Discharge: An Interdisciplinary Approach part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This is a interdisciplinary field investigation where students form observations and gather data to estimate stream discharge.

Mapping the Glaciers part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This earth systems field lab begins with an in-class guided inquiry experience which uses Minnesota Geological Survey 3-D maps of the upper Midwest to determine where they believe glaciers may have had an influence. They will determine this by looking at landscapes and compiling their own evidence from the maps. They will also offer evidence for a hypothesis they generate which involves the direction that the glacier was traveling. The two-day lesson ends (after student presentations on their findings about glaciers) with a field investigation of one of our parking lot snow banks. Students will compare and contrast what they know about glaciers, with one of our parking lot snow banks, determining any similarities with how the landscape may have appeared during the Pleistocene.

TWO TYPES OF JOURNALING BEFORE POND STUDY part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This is a two part journaling activity prior to an existing week long biology field lab. The journaling activities described here have been added to the beginning of the Pond Study Lab to enhance student learning of observation and quality journaling skills.

Investigation of the Minnehaha Falls area part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This activity is a combination of a field investigation and direct instruction at Minnehaha Falls. We are investigating Twin Cities rock types and weathering from the flowing water.

Adventures in ABC and 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.

Investigating Habitats: Human's Influence on the Land part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This investigation is a field study where students compare the diversity of plants and insects in a naturally existing habitat to that of a human altered habitat.