Topics
AnOTTER day on the Mississippi
River Otters are cute, playful, and fierce. Let's learn about the top predator in the river ecosystem and what adaptations give them that competitive edge in the water. Life is smooth swimming in the water, but what happens when they leave one ecosystem for another? What adaptations become a hindrance? And how have humans impacted the lives of river otters along the river?
Grades: 3-5
Main Objective Question: What adaptations does a river otter have that allow it to thrive in a river ecosystem better than any other ecosystem?
Main Standard(s):
3L.3.2.1.1 - Surviving using variations in characteristics.
3L.4.1.1.1 - Strategies animals use to survive.
3L.4.2.1.1 - Structures that support survival.
Organization: National Park Service
Geology Rocks! How a Waterfall Created Two Cities
The plans for the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul have been laid out for millions of years, we just have to read the layers of rock. Students will hear a story of a massive, glacial waterfall that carved out the riverbed as it eroded millions of years worth of sedimentary rock and set the stage for the booming flour industry in Minneapolis and the bustling port of St. Paul. Additional time can be added to take an in depth look at the fossils of the Ordovician era at the request of teachers.
Grades: 4-6
Main Objective Question: How did the geological features of Minnesota, such as the waterfall of St. Anthony, impact the geographic locations of the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul?
Main Standard(s):
4E.1.2.1.1 - Observations of the effects of erosion by the forces of water.
4.3.3.6.1 - Geographic features affect population distribution and growth of cities.
6.4.4.20.1 - Rise of big business and use of natural resources influenced MN economy.
Organization: National Park Service
National Parks 101
This program introduces students to the 400+ National Parks across the nation and the mission of the National Park Service. Special attention will be paid to the National Park right here in the Twin Cities as well as addressing questions students have about careers in the National Park Service. What does a ranger do? What kinds of parks are there? What is the free 4th grade National Park pass?
Grades: 3-5
Main Objective Question: What are National Parks and who can visit and work at them?
Main Standard(s):
3.2.1.1.1 - Short and long-term consequences of choices.
3.1.4.6.1 - Importance of services provided by the government.
3.3.3.8.1 - Why people have made or used boundaries.
Organization: National Park Service
Credit: NPS
Mussels - Natural Superheroes
One of nature’s greatest superheroes lives right here in our Mississippi River! Meet the Mighty Mussel and learn about the critical role these reclusive creatures play in the river. Students will explore mussel adaptations, life cycle, their role in the ecosystem, and the difference between native and invasive mussels.
Grades: 3-5
Main Objective Question: Why are mussels important to the Mississippi River ecosystem?
Main Standard(s):
3L.4.1.1.1 - Strategies animals use to survive.
3L.4.2.1.1 - Animals have internal and external structures.
5L.4.1.2.1 - Changes in plant and animal populations as a result of environmental changes.
Organization: National Park Service
Credit: NPS
Into the Floodplain Forest!
Take a virtual stroll (or swim) through the fascinating world of the floodplain forest! This program offers an introduction to ecosystems by focusing on the floodplain forest of the Mississippi River. Learn about a few different plants and animals that live in this soggy ecosystem, the benefits of the floodplain, the impact that humans have on them, and how to protect the Mississippi River.
Grades: 4-6
Main Objective Question: What is the floodplain forest ecosystem and how have different plants and animals (including humans!) adapted to living in this unique ecosystem?
Main Standard(s):
4E.1.1.1.2 - Water cycle.
4E.3.2.2.1 - Impacts of Earth’s natural processes.
5L.4.1.2.1 - Changes in plant and animal populations as a result of environmental changes. 6E.1.1.1.3 - Climate change.
6E.2.1.1.3 - Natural hazards.
Organization: National Park Service
Credit: Creative Commons
Journey of the Northern Pike
A ferocious and fast predator lurks in the Mississippi River - ready to strike at any moment! But life can be quite challenging for this fierce fish. Students will explore the adaptations, life cycle, and challenges that a Northern Pike must face throughout its life.
Grades: 3-5
Main Objective Question: What challenges does a northern pike face throughout its lifetime and how do some fish overcome these obstacles?
Main Standard(s):
3L.4.1.1.1 - Strategies animals use to survive.
3L.4.2.1.1 - Animals have internal and external structures.
4L.4.1.1.1 - Environment affects animal traits.
Organization: National Park Service
The Big BOOM that Changed How YOU Eat!
In 1878 an explosion at a flour mill in Minneapolis rocked the city and led to innovation that changed the food industry forever.
How did an industrial accident over 100 years ago change what we eat today?
Grades: 3-5
Main Objective Question: What would a big boom over a hundred years ago have to do with me?
Main Standard(s):
4.3.3.6.1 - Human Systems
3.4.1.2.1 - Historical Thinking Skills
5.4.2.3.1 - Peoples change over time
Organization: Minnesota Historical Society
No Electricity? Water We Going to Do?
A mix of history and science this presentation covers why the Mississippi and Owamni/St. Anthony Falls were both special and were changed to harness the power of water and how mechanical power using water worked.
Grades: 3-5
Main Objective Question: How did hundreds of machines run without electricity?
Main Standard(s):
3.1.3.2.2 - Interactions among science and society
4.2.3.1.1 - Energy
5.4.1.2.2 - Historical thinking skills
Organization: Minnesota Historical Society
Erosion: Sculpting the Landscape
The Mississippi River used to be a small river flowing into the Great River Warren. How did the Mississippi River grow into what it is today? Explore how erosion shaped Minnesota, from farm fields to our metro river corridor. Also discover a few things people can do to prevent erosion and protect our valuable soil and waters.
Grades: 5-6
Main Objective Question: What is erosion, why can it be bad for our environment, and how can we prevent it?
Main Standard(s):
5E.3.1.2.1 - Earth Structure and Processes
Organization: Friends of the Mississippi River
Invasive Species & Ecosystems
Review ecosystems and how everything is interconnected, and explore through discussion about the differences between native and introduced species, how humans introduced them locally, and the social, ecological, and economic impacts of these new species.
Grades: 4-6
Main Objective Question: What is the difference between native and introduced species, and how do they impact our ecosystems?
Main Standard(s):
5.4.2.1.2 - Natural systems and change
Organization: Friends of the Mississippi River
Watersheds - Our Waters
Water is essential to life, but what do we know about how water moves through a community? A brief overview of the water cycle is given before diving into watersheds, permeable and impermeable surfaces, and how humans impact the way water moves.
Grades: 4-6
Main Objective Question: What is a watershed and what effects do humans have on the water cycle?
Main Standard(s):
4E.3.2.3.1 - Water
Organization: Friends of the Mississippi River
Wade Into Wetlands
Discover why wetlands are vital for people and the environment. How are wetlands like sponges and what do they soak up? These wet and muddy parts of our environment have more going on than meets the eye.
Grades: 4-6
Main Objective Question: What are the different kinds of wetlands and what do they contribute to humans and environmental health?
Main Standard(s):
5L.4.2.1.1 - Interdependence among living systems
5L.4.4.1.1 - Human interactions with living systems
Organization: Friends of the Mississippi River