Outdoor Field Experiences
K-12 grade opportunities
Developed by Debbie O’Gorman, Sixth Grade Science Teacher, Elmcrest Elmentary
Adrienne Forbes, Nevada Division of Wildlife, Regional Wildlife
Education Coordinator
Oxbow Nature Study Area, 3100 Dickerson Road, Reno, Nevada 89503
Phone: (775) 334-3808
Email: aforbes@govmail.state.nv.us
This field trip is designed to allow educators and students to set up an outdoor experience that will meet the standards of a variety of grade levels. This wildlife education program includes plant, tree, bird and animal identification, interpretation of this riparian ecosystem as a part of the Truckee River watershed, along with other activities designed around the field packs available for educators and students. These packs may be checked out to classes by a docent, if your lead teacher has previously attended the Oxbow Nature Study Area field training orientation or Project WILD or Aquatic WILD workshops.
GOALS:
STANDARDS:
Life Science Standards:
6.K.1 Observe and describe animal attributes
6.K.2 Compare and contrast how humans and animals use their senses
- Use the five senses to investigate the natural world
- Distinguish living from non-living things using established criteria
6.3.1 Investigate and describe how plants and animals have life cycles and require food, water, air, and space
- Investigate, compare, and contrast identifiable characteristics of plants and animals.
- Investigate and describe how plants and animals require certain conditions to survive.
- Investigate, compare, and contrast the different structures of organisms that serve different functions for growth, reproduction, and survival.
- Investigate and describe how plants and animals have features that help them live in various environments.
- Investigate and describe how various living things behave differently under diverse conditions.
- Investigate and describe how some organisms can learn from their experiences.
- Investigate and describe how some environmental conditions are more favorable than others to living things.
- Investigate and describe how some broad patterns of behavior exhibited by animals have evolved to ensure survival of the species.
- Investigate and describe how plants and animals have mechanisms that allow them to respond to changes in their environment.
8.K.2 Sort animals by observable characteristics
- Sort plants by observable characteristics
- Explain how living things may be classified on the basis of similar features, behaviors, and/or habits.
- Describe how there are variations among individuals within a population of a certain species.
- Classify organisms on the basis of similar characteristics, and explain the basis for such a classification system.
- Explain how the experiences an organism has during its lifetime can affect it.
- Explain how diversity of species and variation among organisms within a species increase the chances of survival of life when large changes occur in the environment.
- Explain how particular features of plants and animals help them live in different kinds of places.
- Classify animals and plants according to their physical characteristics.
- Investigate and describe how environmental changes allow some plants and animals to survive and reproduce, but others may die.
Content Standard 15.0: Ecosystems- Students will demonstrate and understanding that ecosystems display patterns of organization, change, and stability as a result of the interactions and interdependence among the life forms and physical components of the Earth.
Areas of Content Standards 18.0 &endash; 24.0 for the area of scientific inquiry:
Many of these standards are demonstrated through the inquiry process
outside, and in follow-up discussion in the classroom.
Activities:
Project WILD-
Habitrekking Tracks! Everybody Needs A Home
Micro Odyssey Riparian Zone Seed Need
Pond Succession Shrinking Habitat Wild Words
Color Crazy Wildlife is Everywhere Microtrek Treasure Hunt
Ants on a Twig Grasshopper Gravity!
Aquatic WILD-
The Edge of Home Riparian Retreat
Watershed Aquatic Roots
Water Plant Art Are You Me?
Wetland Metaphors
Many other water and soil testing activities, as well as environmental and ecology related activities, can be planned. Brock Magiscope microscopes and interpretive backpacks are available for group use with prior arrangements made with Adrienne Forbes, NDOW, Regional Wildlife Education Coordinator. Phone: (775) 334-3808 or email
Water Studies on the Truckee
Truckee River from the Observation Deck
Logistics:
While visiting Oxbow Nature Study Area, be aware that this area is home to several species of wild animals. Please stay on the trails and do not feed the wildlife.
Additional Field Trip Sites:
Verdi Nature Trail and Washoe Lake Wetlands are additional Wildlife Education site field trips, offered by the Nevada Division of Wildlife. These sites are modeled after the Oxbow Nature Study Area Wildlife Education program, and offer our students additional wildlife habitats to study in western Nevada.
Call or email Adrienne Forbes, Nevada Division of Wildlife, (775) 334-3808, aforbes@govmail.state.nv.us to schedule field trips and request volunteer docents for all wildlife areas.
Due to Nevada’s variable weather, it is advisable that appropriate layers of clothing be worn. Water bottles, sunglasses, sunscreen, hats, and coats are advisable at all times.
Verdi and Washoe Lake Wetlands can be very windy and cold at times. Come prepared!
Lunch may be enjoyed outside at any site. The sites are open during all seasons and can be visited to experience the differences in the seasons of Nevada.
Maximum Number of Students per field trip/per day: 60
Cost: Free
Two free bus vouchers are provided to each school, by the Nevada Division of Wildlife. Contact site principals or George Ochs for information on how to obtain free bus vouchers.
We encourage sharing of comments and student work centered around any activities done at Oxbow Nature Center. Please feel free to e-mail dogorman@washoe.k12.nv.us or mailto:aforbes@govmail.state.nv.us with comments, student work, or questions to add to the website.
Enjoy your time in the outdoors!!!
Don’t forget to remember we share the environment with the wildlife. Respect their homes!
Directions to Oxbow Nature Study Area
Field Pack Gear:
Oxbow Nature Study Area Field Pack Inventory
Books:
An Audubon Handbook WESTERN BIRDS
National Audubon Society FIRST FIELD GUIDE INSECTS
Desert Wildflowers of North America
A Field Guide to MAMMAL TRACKING in North America
Field Cards:
Sierra Nevada Field Card No. 1 BIRDS OF THE SIERRA NEVADA
Sierra Nevada Field Card No. 2 MAMMALS OF THE SIERRA NEVDA
Sierra Nevada Field Card No. 3 FLOWERS OF THE SIERRA NEVADA
Sierra Nevada Field Card No. 4 TREES OF THE SIERRA NEVADA
Identification Books and Activity Cards:
6 Aquatic Insect Identification Booklets
1 Aquatic Insect Key (Laminated)
1 What Tree Is That? Tree Identification Booklet
3 Insect Scavenger Hunt Activity cards
Small Equipment:
6 clear plastic petri dishes
6 hand lenses
3 white Styrofoam specimen trays
2 eyedroppers
2 glass collection vials
2 plastic magnification boxes
2 plastic rulers
1 cloth tape measure
1 thermometer
FACILITIES:
Restrooms open year round. Water fountains available year round also.
Resources:
Oxbow Nature Study Area is a release site for Trout In the Classroom. This is a targeted fourth and fifth grades activity, sponsored by Nevada Division of Wildlife. For more information contact Chris Vasey, Regional Outdoor Education Coordinator, NDOW (775) 688-1622, email cvasey@govmail.state.nv.us , or access the NDOW website, www.nevadadivisionofwildlife.org , click on the Fisheries button, and go to Trout in the Classroom!
Please feel free to contact Debbie O’Gorman at dogorman@washoe.k12.nv.us or Adrienne Forbes at aforbes@govmail.state.nv.us with questions, comments, or student work to add to the website. We would love to share the creativity of other teachers here!!
Outdoor Field Science At It’s Best!