Investigating Lava Flows and Their Imapct on Shoreline Features part of MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
Short Description This activity is a field investigation where students construct a diagram of a lava flow from top to bottom based on observations made in the field and then attempting to make connections between the lava flow features and the resulting shape of the shoreline of Lake Superior.

Outcrop Investigation: What can our rocks tell us about the past? part of MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This activity is a field investigation where students reconstruct parts of Winona's Paleozoic environment through observations of a local outcrop and the application of basic geologic principles.

What Happens to Water When it Hits the Ground? part of MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
Students will test the percolation rates of 6 different soil samples. Three of the samples are measured sand and clay and three are collected from the schoolyard and wetland.

GeoGlitz: An Intensive Geological Survey of the Land at a Specific Location part of MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This activity is a field investigation where students gather geological information of a designated area and identify the geological features they documented.

Exploring Sugarloaf Cove: Investigating the Geology of Lake Superior's North Shore. part of MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This activity is a field investigation where students make observations of the pebble beach, lava flows, and wetland restoration at Sugarloaf Cove to generate questions to be addressed throughout the earth science curriculum.

Middle School Stream Investigation: observing stream erosion, calculating stream discharge, and determining stream chemistry and turbidity part of MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This stream field investigation will allow students to look at stream erosional patterns, take measurements to determine discharge, and conduct a chemical and turbidity analysis of Garvin Brook in Stockton, MN. Based on this investigation students will create a presentation that includes a new testable question that may be carried out the following year along with a stream ecology study.

Investigating how terrain and watersheds are connected part of MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
In this activity students will gain an understanding of how terrain affects a watershed. Students will use maps and Google Earth to "get a picture" of the terrain within their watershed. They will use this knowledge to create an investigation of their stream which will help answer student generated questions about the connection of terrain and water systems.

Our Big Backyard part of MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This activity is a field investigation where students venture out into their own backyard to observe and record data on living things and see how these things change throughout the seasons.

Disasters to Nature: Sensitivity of Ground-Water Systems to Pollution part of MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This activity is a field investigation where students will observe three areas with high sensitivity to pollution, and test water quality in two of the locations.

Investigating local stream discharge part of 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.