- Internal and external fish anatomy through fish dissection or gyotaku (the
Japanese art of fish printing
- Water quality testing and monitoring programs including macroinvertebrate
collection and identification
- Classroom presentations
- Videos, books, and other activities available for checkout
- Enviroscape non-point source/watershed model
Education Trunks and other
activities available for educators
-"Columbia River Aquatic Nuisance Species Trunk" includes a number of informational books, videos, preserved specimen, and 13 hands on lessons and activities that will teach students about Columbia River Basin aquatic nuisance species. Topics range from what and who they are, where they come from, how they get here, impacts they may have on native species and aquatic habitats, and actions each person can take to prevent their further spread. While targeted towards middle school students, most lessons can be easily adapted to any age or grade level. Master copies of student handouts and worksheets are available in the resource binder as well as on our web page. We have also provided a list of additional teacher resources which can be used to enhance discussion of these topics. In addition to providing you with the trunk, staff at the CRFPO may be available to come to your class at the beginning of the unit to introduce the topic of aquatic nuisance species.
-"Animal Tracks Literacy Project" presents the basics of animal track identification
and interpretation in a simple, fun, hands-on format where participants use
stencils to draw life-size animal tracks, learn about the natural history
of local wildlife and become engaged in creating their own animal track stories.
-"Bat Education Trunk" - Learn everything about bats from around the world including habitats, adaptations, and their importance to the ecosystem. Lots of fun activities incorporating math, science, and conservation.
-"The Salmon Life Cycle Game", a board game which follows the adventures
of a salmon as it grows and travels from freshwater to the ocean, then back
to its' birthplace stream. Each fish encounters dangers growing to adulthood.
layers learn how few salmn actually return to their birthplace to spawn and
reproduce, and some toht many hazards they face as they complete their life
cycle. Up to six individuals may play the game, or two to six teams with two
players or more per team.
- "Fin Bin", a salmon education trunk
- "Of People and Fish" Trunk, an educational trunk and curriculum
designed to introduce students to the complex cultural and scientific history
leading to the "salmon crisis". Includes a trunk with reusable equipment,
preserved specimens, books, videos, and replicas of equipment used by Native
Americans to catch and process fish.
- "Lewis and Clark Trunk", a trunk of activities and materials to
introduce your students to some of the central themes and contributions of
the Lewis and Clark expedition. The four main activities include plants, animals,
maps, and trading.
- "Cargo for Conservation", an information kit designed to increase awareness
and understanding of the effects of illegal wildlife trade on protected plants
and animals and to encourage actions to reduce that trade's harmful effects.
-"Macroinvertebrates as Indicators of Water Quality"
Designed to introduce students to macroinvertebrates, or stream bugs. Six
activities are arranged in order from pre-assessment to identification, biomonitoring,
non-point source pollution, and finally, reflection and post-assessment. These
activities can be can be used as stand alone activities if desired. Templates
are included to make copies of student handouts and worksheets. The additional
teacher resources can be used to enhance discussion of these concepts, as
well as, take the next step and do the actual stream monitoring. A household
survey is included for students to complete with their parents to assess their
impact on stream health.
-"Compost Trunk"
This educational trunk” has activities that will help your class learn how to create
a healthy compost bin.
-"Columbia River Trunk"
Investigate three lesser known but more interesting species of the Columbia River. The species include the Coastal Cutthroat Trout, Pacific Lamprey, and Western Pearlshell Mussel. The kit also has a section focusing on Aquatic Nuisance Species. Learn how these species live and interact with one another.
