Bursting Buds
In early spring, many trees sprout bright green leaves. Where do the leaves come from? How do they form? Students investigate these questions by observing tree buds throughout the year.
Math
Birds and Bugs
Camouflage is an essential survival strategy in the natural world. Students discover the value of protective coloration as they pretend to be birds in search of colored bugs.
Forest in the City
The trees in our communities provide many benefits: they improve air quality, store carbon, and conserve energy.
Monitoring Forest Health
Through a variety of health indicators, learners assess the health of a forest area and see how soil scientists, wildlife biologists, arborists, and other forest professionals monitor forests.
If You Were the Boss
Acting as foresters, learners grapple with decisions about how to manage a forest sustainably while serving different needs.
Making Consumer Choices
Using paper as an example, students analyze the life cycle and consumption patterns of forest products, and identify the international dimensions of product use. They then draw conclusions about consuming forest products in a more intelligent way.
Climate Change and Forests
Students use a carbon footprint calculator to analyze their personal effect on carbon dioxide (CO2) levels in the atmosphere, calculate the amount of carbon stored in a single tree, and explore how carbon sequestration can affect CO2 levels.
Forest to Faucet
Students identify local watersheds and their forest cover, analyze a specific watershed in Maine, and evaluate the extent to which their own community’s water supply is affected by forests and forest management.
Tough Choices
Students read and discuss several short articles and will propose solutions to real-life forest dilemmas.
Who Owns America’s Forests?
Students research forest ownership in the United States, interview forest landowners about changes they have experienced, and analyze scenarios to learn about the complexities of intergenerational forestland transfer.