Gregg Bruff, Chief of Heritage Education, and Dave Kronk, Park Ranger, have retired from the National Park Service. Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore continues our commitment to outreach education and creating park stewards for the future through hands-on, minds-on programming. With these vacancies, however, we are in transition with the interpretation and education outreach program. For information, please contact:
Tim Colyer, Chief of Resource and Visitor Protection
906-387-2607, ext. 203
email
Seventh Grade - Fall
Human Energy Use Basics
Science Alignments: S.I.P.07.16, S.RS.07.14, S.RS.07.17
Social Studies Alignment: 7-G5.1.1
In the classroom one hour: Through hands-on activities students will be introduced to the concepts of fossil fuels, renewable resources and alternative energies.
Two hour field trip to Pictured Rocks: Students will visit Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore to learn what energy use choices the National Lakeshore is making, play an outdoor game about the greenhouse effect and spend some time in the forest reflecting on these ideas through an activity called Magic Spot.
Seventh Grade - Winter
Water Cycle Investigations
Science Alignment:
Earth Systems E.ES.07.42, E.ES.07.81, E.ES.07.82
In the classroom one hour: Students will make predictions and draw conclultions about the properties and behavior of water molecules or "specks" during their visits to several learning stations.
Two to three hour snowshoe field trip at your school site or Pictured Rocks: Students work in teams to follow the paths of water "specks" on special trails using a guidebook. Students will also examine pond ice and conduct simple investigations. Through hands-on activities, students learn the connections between global climate change and the water cycle.
Seventh Grade - Spring
Photosynthesis and the Leaf Food Factory
Michigan Science Alignment:
Energy: P.EN.07.43 (Explain photosynthesis and how leaves function)
Fluid Earth: E.FE.07.12 (Describe the Atmosphere)
Thinking Skills: S.RS.07.17 (Describe human effects on natural world), S.IA.07.12 (Evaluate data through collaboration), S.IA.07.13 (Communicate and defend observations and investigations).
Climate Change: Students will understand the connections of photosynthesis and care of forests to global climate change.
One hour in-class: Students will conduct an investigation about photosynthesis.
Two to three hour field trip to the Sand Point or Grand Sable Visitor Center area of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore: Students will explore a giant leaf and make sugar and go on a "munch-line monitors" hike!
Seventh Grade - Spring
Watershed Monitoring
Michigan Science Alignments:
Earth Systems: E2.1A (Importance of water quality because of our closed system), E2.1B (Earth system interactions), E2.1C (Earth system interactions) E2.3A (Carbonic and tannic acids in the water), E2.3b (Dangerous chemicals that could get into the water), E2.4B (Human impact on water quality)
The Solid Earth: E3.p1B (Weathering and erosion that effects water quality)
The Fluid Earth: E4.p1A (Water cycle), E4.p1B (Watersheds), E4.p1C (Weathering and erosion and their effects on water quality), E4.1B (Groundwater recharge and the level of lakes and streams), E4.1C land use and water quality.
Thinking Skills: E4.1A (Compare and contrast water systems)
Climate Change: Students will learn how climate change can affect watersheds locally and elsewhere.
One hour in class: Students will be introduced to the goals of National Water Watershed Monitoring Day and the basics of watersheds. They will review the techniques and equipment that will be used to monitor water quality in a nearby watershed.
Two to three hour field trip to Miners River or Sable Creek: Students will work in teams with help from the ranger and teacher to collect valuable stream data on physical and biological characteristics.
Eighth Grade - Fall
The Munising Blast Furnace Story
Michigan Science Alignments:
E2.2B, E2.4A, E2.4B, E2.4D, E3p2A
Michigan Social Studies Alignment:
8-U6.1.1
Thinking Skills: Analysis, computing and re-enacting
Climate Change: Investigation of the industrial revolution and co-related carbon dioxide in atmosphere.
One hour in the classroom: A Power Point presentation about the Munising Blast Furnace and hands-on examination of objects from that time period, followed by a discussion about the impact the blast furnace had on the nearby community and environment.
Two hour field trip to Munising Falls: Students will participate in some hands-on math activities to learn about wood, charcoal, and iron then hike to explore the furnace displays and old blast furnace site. Students will read information about some of the folks that were employed at the furnace before participating in a brief historical reenactment "play."
Eighth Grade - Fall
Energy Conservation and Efficiency Basics
Social Studies Alignments: 7-P4.2.2, 7-Gg.2.1
In the classroom one hour: Through hands-on activities, students will be introduced to the need for energy efficiency and how to conduct energy surveys in the classroom!
Two hour field trip to Pictured Rocks: Students will visit Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore and learn how plants and animals are efficient and conserve energy.
Ninth Grade - Fall
Reducing Your Global Footprint through Sustainable Choices and Living
Social Studies Alignment: CG2 Science Alignments: B3.5A, B3.5B, B3.5C
In the classroom one hour: Hands-on activities to help students understand what resource and community sustainability are and learn ways to reduce negative impacts and their ecological footprint.
Two hour field trip to Pictured Rocks: Students will start with a running game which will teach about sustainability in animal populations. They will visit a forest area to observe and learn about forest and wildlife sustainability practices in natural resource management.
Tenth Grade - Fall
Local Geology
Michigan Science Alignments: E2.1B, E3.plB, E3.plC, E3.p2A, E4.3A, E4.p3B, E4.1A, E4.3C, E5.3D, E5.3g, E5.4D
Thinking Skills: Observation, forming concepts, interpreting, summarizing, identifying and listing.
Climate Change: Review of different ice ages and temperature variations of the planet.
One hour in class: Students will participate in a game to learn about the geologic time line and how ice and water effect landforms. The basics of radio carbon dating will be examined.
Two to three hour field trip: During a field trip to the Miners area of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, students will work in small groups to learn about rock types, geologic history, fossils, and how the glaciers formed the surface features in the area.
Seventh Through Twelfth Grades - Fall
Pictured Rocks Maritime History
Michigan Social Studies Alignment:
The Development of an Industrial U.S.: 6.1.1 (Factors in the American Industrial Revolution)
Thinking Skills: Re-stating information, re-enacting information and interpreting history.
Climate Change: Investigation on how climate change in area would have impacted past maritime travel.
One hour in class: A PowerPoint program will explain maritime travel along the Pictured Rocks from 1600 to the present. Students will be divided into nine time period groups and read the scripts for short 5-minute plays about maritime travel in the area. These performances will be given during the field trip component of this program.
All day field trip to Kingston Lake and Hurricane River: Bring a lunch! Students will travel to the Kingston Lake picnic area where they will "happen" upon a voyageur from the past. The voyageur will engage the teacher in a lively discussion about the fur trade era in the region. Students will take turns paddling a birch bark canoe. After lunch the group will travel to the Hurricane River Campground to hike a short distance to see shipwreck parts. A shipwreck "survivor" will explain about the wreck and travel on Lake Superior up to the present day. The program will conclude with nine 5-minute long dramatic presentations by the students, who will re-enact each of the nine important time periods for maritime travel in the area.
Seventh Through Twelfth Grades - Fall
Explore Your Michigan
Science Alignments:
Living Systems: L3.p1A (What is a community?), L3.p3A (What affects population size?), L3.p3B (Abiotic and Biotic), B3.4B (Biodiversity), B5.1D (Evolution and Natural Selection in a forest)
Thinking Skills: Interpreting, summarizing, making conclusions
Climate Change: L3.p4A + B3.4C (How humans impact forest through climate change).
One hour in class: Students will learn about the basics of their school forest and the management plan that was developed for it. They will choose an aspect of the forest to study and/or collect data on.
Two hour to all day field trip: Students will collect data on their school forest for their school forest database.
Eighth Through Twelfth Grades - Fall
An Introduction to Mapping
Michigan Science Alignments:
The Solid Earth: E3.p1A (Origin of landforms present in mapping areas), E3.p1B (Weathering and erosion that effects landforms), E3.2A (Earth's magnetic field and compass use)
The Fluid Earth: E4.plB (Watersheds) , E4.3A (How glaciers have changed landforms)
Thinking Skills: Planning, plotting, mapping and problem solving
Climate Change: Examination of coastal area maps showing changes due to climate change.
One hour in class: Students will learn the basics of maps, examine of map of their school or the park and prepare a simple relief model of the watershed depicted.
Two hour field trip at your school site: Students will learn the basics of compass use and GPS unit use. They will walk the site to mark waypoints and begin to develop a map of the school grounds.
Eleventh and Twelfth Grades - Fall
Exploring the Wilderness Concept
Michigan Social Studies Alignment:
6.3.1 and 8.2.1Thinking Skills: Values clarification, multiple perspectives, and evaluation
Climate Change: Explanation of how climate change is affecting other NPS wilderness areas.
In the classroom: Working in small groups, students will explore several questions. What is wilderness? Why do some people support it? Why are some people against it? Have you ever experienced "wilderness"? Examine all sides of this issue through in-class readings, discussions, and debate. A "wilderness" day field trip could be arranged.
Eleventh and Twelfth Grades - Fall
Global Climate Change and the National Lakeshore
Michigan Science Alignments:
Climate Change E5.4A, E5.4B, E5.4D, Biology B3.4CThinking Skills: Analyze data, reading and interpreting graphs, critical source analysis.
In the classroom, four sessions (four hours total): Students will view the film "An Inconvenient Truth" (96 minutes) during two sessions.
During the third session, students will form groups to debate the validity of the film. During the fourth session, information will be presented on global climate change impacts at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore and other National Parks.
Eleventh and Twelfth Grades - Fall
Leave No Trace Outdoor Skills
An Overnight Camping Trip
Michigan Science Alignments:
Scientific Reflection and Social Implications B1.2B, B1.2C, B1.2D
Michigan Social Studies Alignment:
Thinking Skills: Perspectives, presenting an idea, interpreting and concluding.
Climate Change: Discussions will be held on ways to lesson impact on climate change.
In the classroom, three sessions: Students will learn basic camping skills and the gear needed for an overnight trip in the Lakeshore. They will explore methods of leaving no impact or trace of their use of wild land through the study of an outdoor philosophy called "Leave No Trace." Extra gear and equipment is available.
An overnight camping trip in Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore!
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