Water Quality part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
Jennifer Krings, Ridgeway Community School, Houston, MN
This is a field investigation in which students test water quality in 2-3 areas using their own testable question.

Investigating Macroinvertebrates: How Clean is Our Lake? part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
Joan McKinnon
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.

Investigating Neighborhood Wetlands part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
Tim Shulstad, Lincoln Elementary School, Alexandria, MN, based on The Nature of Science and Engineering, an original activity created by Molly Stoddard, Prairie Wetlands Learning Center, Fergus Falls, MN.
This activity is field investigation where students map a neighborhood wetland and generate various watershed questions. Students identify engineered structures in or around this wetland and consider how flood water can be controlled.

Investigating Animals: Interdependence of Life In A Habitat part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
Julie Carroll Northside Elementary Benson, MN
This activity is a field investigation where students will observe, discuss, and gather evidence on how environmental changes affect animals that live in that habitat.

Natural Stream Tables part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
Jeff Lindstrom Churchill Elementary, Cloquet, MN
This activity is a field investigation on stream tables.

Comparing Soil Samples from different locations part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
Chris Bakke, Clearbrook-Gonvick School, Clearbrook, MN, based on an original activity developed as an assignement during MnSTEP Inquiry class.
In this field investigation, students compare various soil samples taken from specific locations. Students compare samples, record data, create a chart or graph, and journal.

Dissecting Soil part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
Robin Saltee Win-E-Mac School Erskine, MN
This activity is a field investigation where students find out what makes up soil.

Dissecting Soil part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
Suzanne Weik Win-E-Mac School Erskine, MN
This activity is a field investigation where students find out what makes up soil.

Who Wants To Live Here? Water Sampling At Our Local Pond and Stream part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
Susan Van Kekerix
This activity is a field activity where students will perform various water quality tests to determine the types of organisms that live in a local pond and stream, and the characteristics that those aquatic environments seem to have that the organisms favor.

Identifying plant family characteristics part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
Kate Olson Riverway Learning Community Minnesota City, MN
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.