Lewis and Clark Sites for Children

USGS Resources for Teaching About Lewis and Clark

The USGS publishes nearly 100,000 different maps, aerial photographs, books, booklets, posters, CDs, digital data, and satellite imagery, many of which are useful for teaching about Lewis and Clark. These resources can be used in an inquiry-based setting in a variety of courses and projects at the elementary, secondary, and university levels. In addition, the USGS hosts Internet-based resources that can be used for Lewis and Clark teaching. Learn more at USGS Resources for Teaching About Lewis and Clark.

The Pacific Salmon

The Lewis and Clark Expedition grew weak and sick during their 11-day crossing of the Bitterroot Mountains. On the verge of starvation, they met the Nez Perce as they struggled out of the mountains. The Nez Perce provided the explorers with dried salmon. Learn about salmon, which is an important biological resource in the Columbia River Basin, by visiting the links below.

• Life History of the Pacific Salmon
• Questions and answers about Salmon

The American Buffalo

The buffalo, or bison, provided clothing and food for the Lewis and Clark expedition. Many descriptions of the vast herds of buffalo on the Great Plains are given in Lewis and Clark's journals. Color your own picture of a bison. Click here to download the image of a bison.

Mapping Trivia

Test your knowledge about maps. Play the mapping trivia game.

Lewis and Clark Using the Geographic Perspective

Students can explore physical geography, investigating how landforms, climate, vegetation, river systems, and other processes and locations influenced the journey.

Through cultural geography, students can examine the interaction between Native Americans and European-Americans, the past and present-day settlement patterns of each, as well as population change on the Great Plains, Rocky Mountains, and Pacific Coast.