Introduction:
Planning a Field Trip to Craters of the Moon
Using this Curriculum
This curriculum is designed to familiarize high school students with the natural resources at Craters of the Moon National Monument and how the National Park Service manages them.
The curriculum is divided into 7 chapters which focus on areas of concern to park managers. Each chapter contains background information, study questions, and activities to be completed at the monument and in the classroom.
Individual chapters and activities can stand alone as learning units. Feel free to select the combination which best suits your needs. You may also consider splitting your class into small groups and assigning them a variety of activities from different chapters. The activity durations listed represent actual time on location, and do not include driving time within the monument.
Most of the activities in the curriculum will be most effective for groups of 30 students or less. In many cases, you will want to divide the group into smaller groups to accomplish the field work described. Please plan to one adult leader for every 6-8 students. The better prepared the adult assistants are, the more productive an educational experience your students will have. If the group you are bringing is considerably larger, contact us and we will work with you to design an effective experience for your students.
Certain activities require the presence of a Craters of the Moon staff member. This will be noted in the activity description. Reservations are required for activities involving a park ranger, and should be made well in advance of your visit. Certain activities require special supplies or equipment, such as plant identification materials or historic photographs, which are not included with the curriculum. These materials are available in a kit at the monument, and may be borrowed upon your arrival, or prior to your visit if demand is not too great. To make reservations or borrow the support kit, contact the National Park Service at (208)527-3257. We are anxious to offer any assistance you need in planning and implementing a successful field trip. Please feel free to call us.
When to Visit Most schools visit between May 1st and Memorial Day. After Memorial
Day, the monument staff is too busy to assist visiting groups. You may
still plan a visit, but should incorporate only activities which do not
require National Park Service participation. Groups may also consider
visiting in the fall between Labor Day and mid-October.
What to Bring
Fees
Facilities
Student Conduct
Safety
The 7-mile Loop Drive through the monument is closed from approximately
November 1st through April 15. The weather at Craters of the Moon,
which is located at 5900 feet, is unpredictable. Cold, windy, or snowy
weather is possible even in late May. Canceling a field trip at the
last moment is awkward, but trips in poor conditions are not enjoyable
or safe. There is no indoor area for groups to utilize.
The weather may be cool, windy and/or damp at any time of year. Make
sure your students are adequately prepared for a full day in the
out-of-doors. Students should bring a warm jacket, sturdy shoes or
boots, rain gear if the weather is threatening, and a flashlight if you
plan to visit the caves area. You cannot purchase food at the monument,
so make sure everyone packs a lunch if you plan to eat here.
The monument charges an entrance fee from early June through
mid-September. Groups visiting for educational purposes are exempt from
this entrance fee. If you plan to visit during that time period, write
to the Chief Ranger, Craters of the Moon National Monument, P.O. Box 29,
Arco, ID 83213 on your school stationery describing the purpose and
date of your visit. You will receive a fee waiver in return, which you
can show at the entrance station the day of your visit.
The Visitor Center is open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. from Labor Day
through June 1st, and 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. during the summer. The
Visitor Center offers a five minute video on volcanic geology, as well
as displays on the geology, history, and ecology of the monument. There
is also a store which sells books, postcards, posters, videos, slides,
film, and other items. A complete list of sales items and prices is
available upon request. There are restrooms at the Visitor Center, and
at the Caves Area, Devil's Orchard, and Tree Molds parking lots. There
is no drinking water beyond the Visitor Center. Picnic facilities are
available in the campground and outside the Visitor Center.
Please discuss the following regulations with your students before your
arrival. All the natural features within Craters of the Moon are
protected. Collecting rocks and other objects is prohibited. Because
climbing on the fragile lava rock can cause irreversible damage, all
visitors to the North Crater Flow, Spatters Cones, and Big Crater must
stay on the paved walkways. Dispose of all litter properly.
By far the most common cause of injury at Craters of the Moon is falling
on the sharp, abrasive lava rock. Instruct your students to exercise
caution and avoid any running, pushing, horseplay or other activities
which could cause falls and lead to serious injury. Particular care is
required in the caves, due to the lack of light, low ceilings, uneven
floors, occasional ice, and small crawl ways. First aid is available at
the Visitor Center should anyone in your group get hurt.
The following chart lists the activities you will find in this guide.
The chart shows a description of the activity, whether a support kit is
necessary, if ranger assistance or on-site visitation is required, and
what materials you will need to provide.
ACTIVITY
DESCRIPTION
SUPPORT KIT NEEDED?
RANGER ASSISTS?
TIME ON SITE
MATERIALS NEEDED
2.1 What's Happening to the Spatter Cones?
Students compare the contemporary scene
with historic photos to determine what impact people have had on the
Spatter Cones.
Yes
No
1 hour
Pencils, paper, camera, support kit with historic photos
2.2 Document Human Impact
Students compile a report documenting human
impact on the volcanic features of the monument.
No
No
2 hours
Pencils, paper, camera, monument maps, report question sheets
2.3 What's the Plan?
Students develop a plan to correct the most
serious problem of human impact at the monument.
No
No
None
Pencils, paper, flip charts, markers, word processor (optional)
2.4 Now Hear This!
Students develop a handout encouraging
monument visitors to help preserve fragile resources.
No
No
None
Copies of brochures, pencils, paper, word processor (optional)
3.1 Complete a Cave Resource Report
Students explore a lava tube and document
features on a Cave Resource Report.
No
No
2 hours
Pencils, Cave Resource Report forms,
clipboards, flashlights, long pants, hats, camera
3.2 Debate on Denying Cave Access
Students break into two groups and conduct
a formal debate on whether access to certain caves should be denied.
No
No
None
2 flip charts, markers
4.1 Visit Air Quality Monitoring Sites
Students visit air quality monitoring sites
to find out how data is collected and what it reveals.
No
Yes
2 hours
Pencils, work sheets
4.2 How Clean is Your Home?
Students compare the results of pH tests of
the soil, surface water, and precipitation at the monument and their
home town.
No
No
2 hours (optional)
Soil and water samples from both locations,
pH testing kit, beakers, distilled water, pencils and paper
5.1 Assessing Stream Health
Students assess physical and chemical
stream quality on a stream at the monument and one near home.
Yes
Yes
3 hours
Support kit with Hach Kits and thermometers, work sheets, pencils
6.1 Habitat Inventory
Students compare environmental conditions
and plant communities in six different habitats.
Yes
Yes
3 hours
Support kit with geologic map, compass,
psychrometer, distilled water, balance, soil thermometer, field guides
and plant lists. School brings pencils, work sheets, measuring tape,
surveyors tape, stakes, and cameras.
6.2 Reading on Kipuka Research
Students answer questions following a
reading about research on the distribution of plant and animal species
on the monument's kipukas.
No
No
None
Reading material, pencils, paper
6.3 Mule Deer Census
Students assist in the annual spring mule
deer census and interpret the data they gather.
No
No
3 hours
Work sheets, pencils, binoculars and a spotting scope, hiking gear
6.4 Exotic Plant Monitoring and Removal
Students monitor the presence of exotic
plants in a disturbed area of the monument and assist in removing them.
Yes
Yes
2 hours
Work sheets, pencils, work gloves, stakes,
surveyors tape, field guides in support kit
6.5 Wildlife Management Questionnaire
Students conduct research and interviews to
determine how wildlife management differs among federal land agencies.
No
No
None
Telephone, telephone books, pencils, paper, library vertical files