The Effect of Acid Rain on Seed Growth part of MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This activity is an in class lab where students will compare different acid solutions on seed germination and growth.

Stream Study: An Investigation of an Aquatic Ecosystem part of MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This activity is a field study where students gather data on a stream based upon their protocol. They will correlate their data with another group and present their results to the class. They will develop and defend in class a new experimental question for a spring study.

Investigating soil acidity: Comparing pH and buffering capacity of various soils part of MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
In this activity students investigate soil pH differences and buffering capacity as it relates to acid rain, interpret and present their findings, and develop a new, experimental question.

Investigating Biodiversity in your schoolyard part of MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
In this field lab students will investigate the biodiversity around their school. Students will perform a biodiversity count using transect line. The students will develop multiple hypotheses relating to biodiversity and propose additional procedures for studying, collecting and testing these questions.

Combustion/Pollution part of MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
Students observe a burning candle and the byproducts given off through the burning process. This observation leads to a discussion to the effects of air pollution on our lives.

Density Differences part of MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
In this lab activity, students determine density differences of water samples with varying temperature and salinity levels. Students synthesize information to predict the effects of oil in given water samples.

Using Benthic Marcoinvertebrates Captured by Rock Baskets to Determine Biodiversity in a River. part of MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
In this ecology investigation, students will build and place rock baskets to collect benthic macroinvertebrates in a local waterway. They will observe and identify their macroinvertebrates and use the data to determine the pollution tolerance index for various areas of a river.

Let's get sedimental: A study of the process of sediment deposition and particle sorting part of MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
In this classroom lab, students will investigate particle sorting and deposition.

Stream Study: Assessing the relative health of streams by macro-invertebrate collection and Identification part of MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This activity is a field investigation where students gather data on stream health by collecting macro-invertebrates at three different locations and then develop an experimental question through land use and topographic map research to explain differences in water quality.

Discovering the Effect Mining has on Land part of MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This is an investigation where students observe what happens to land after it is mined. Students will create a hypothesis, observe their model, conclude what happens to land after it is mined, and discover the role humans play in land conservation.