Investigating Biodiversity in your schoolyard part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
Todd Koenig Zimmerman High School 25900 4th Street West Zimmerman, MN 55398 Based on an original activity from Mike Link and the Audubon Center of the North Woods
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.

Insect Investigations part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
Jaime Souza, Audubon Center of the North Woods, Sandstone, MN, based on a recent Bio-blitz that I participated in at the July MnStep in Sandstone
This activity is a field investigation or bio-blitz where students are collecting as many different types of insects as they can. Back in the lab, they will record their findings, sort and classify the insects found. This will lead into a class discussion on biodiversity and the importance of insects and their benefits all living things.

What Lives Under a Rock? part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
Doreen Erickson
Students will listen to the book, Under One Rock Bugs, Slugs, and Other Ughs, written by Anthony D. Frederick and illustrated by Jennifer DiRubbio and then make a mini-book observation journal, Under One Rock to record what they see when they go outdoors to investigate what lives under a rock.

The American Red Squirrel an Outdoor Inquiry Lesson part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
Pamela Beecham, East Bethel Community School, Cedar, MN, 55011. The background information and picture are from Minnesota Conservation Volunteer, November/December 2002. Canoe Country Wildlife; A Field Guide to the North Woods and Boundary Water, written by Mark Stensass, also has fantastic information about the Red Squirrel or Tamiasciurs hudsonicus to add to your outdoor lesson, especially the "Sparky says" section
This is outdoor activity involving students in gathering information on what an American Red Squirrel Eats and its interdependence with the coniferous forest.

Diversity of Life in Your Neighborhood part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
Daniel C. Bearfield, Pipestone Area School, Pipestone, MN based on Bio Blitz as introduced by Mike Link of Audubon Center of the North Woods as part of MnSTEP program in July, 2007
This is a field investigation on diversity of life where students count the number of kinds organisms in two locations. Students report their results on posters and propose reasons why there might be difference in diversity between the locations.

Interdependence of Life: How an ecosystem responds to change part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
Rick Fletcher, Lighthouse Program, Learning Alternatives Community School, 8000 Highway 65 NE, Spring Lake Park, MN 55432
This field activity asks students to examine and interpret a given environmental site where a disturbance (fallen tree, beaver dam etc.) has taken place.

Name That (Bird) Tune part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
Charlie Schweigert Southwest Elementary School Grand Rapids, MN
Students will learn to identify 3 to 4 birds by their song.

Habitat Part 2 (See Mitze Olson's Activity for Part 1) part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
Julia Olson, Pine Meadow Elementary, Sartell, Minnesota. Lesson Based on original activities from the Delta Science Module Food Webs and Chains pp. 15-37.
This activity is an investigation to determine the effect of soil type on plant growth. The students will develop an understanding of the plant as producer.

Sampling Arthropod Diversity of a Schoolyard part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
J McClelland
Short Description: This is an inquiry investigation, geared toward student use of outdoor schoolyard sites. Its focus is to have students applying what they've learned about the scientific method and experimental design, gathering quantitative evidence to support hypotheses.