Rocky Mountain – Vol. 2 No. 1
Having you ever been to the Rocky Mountains? The Rocky Mountain region of the United States is famous for its mountains, outdoor recreation, and wildlife. This journal focuses on research that improves scientists’ understanding of Rocky Mountain region.
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Highlights
- 7 Articles
- 15 Activities
- Glossary Words
- 7 Scientists
- Available in English and Spanish
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In recent years, populations of quaking aspen have been in decline in the Western United States. Stands of aspen are now mixed with conifer trees. Each year, fewer aspen-dominated stands...Quaking in their Roots: The Decline of the Quaking Aspen
In recent years, populations of quaking aspen have been in decline in the Western United States. Stands of aspen are now mixed with conifer trees. Each year, fewer aspen-dominated stands... -
In the Western United States, shallow rocky soils and a dry climate often make it hard for new trees to grow in areas that have been harvested of older trees....Are We Having Fungi Yet? Helping Young Trees Grow
In the Western United States, shallow rocky soils and a dry climate often make it hard for new trees to grow in areas that have been harvested of older trees.... -
When people go hiking or camping in back country or wilderness areas, they almost always impact the natural environment in some way. When people use the back country, they sometimes...Quit Yer Horsin’ Around! The Effects of Trampling on Vegetation in Montana
When people go hiking or camping in back country or wilderness areas, they almost always impact the natural environment in some way. When people use the back country, they sometimes... -
Sunlight is the source of energy for plants, which create food through photosynthesis. Photosynthesis occurs in the foliage, or the green leaves or needles, of a plant. The amount of...Finding Ways to Soak Up the Rays: Lodgepole Pine Adaptation to Different Environmental Conditions
Sunlight is the source of energy for plants, which create food through photosynthesis. Photosynthesis occurs in the foliage, or the green leaves or needles, of a plant. The amount of... -
In many places where martens live, trees are harvested for wood products, leaving martens with an environment very different from the forested one they prefer. When tree harvesting occurs, the...There Goes the Neighborhood: The Disruption of American Marten Habitat
In many places where martens live, trees are harvested for wood products, leaving martens with an environment very different from the forested one they prefer. When tree harvesting occurs, the... -
Do you know anyone who has gone snow skiing or snowboarding in the past year? Over the past 30 years, outdoor activities like skiing have been growing in popularity, with...Slip Sliding Away: Who Goes Skiing and Snowboarding in America?
Do you know anyone who has gone snow skiing or snowboarding in the past year? Over the past 30 years, outdoor activities like skiing have been growing in popularity, with... -
When humans divert water from mountain streams, there is less water in the streams at certain times. The scientist in this study wanted to know whether stream channels are changed...Go With The Flow! Are Mountain Stream Channels Shaped by Flood and Drought?
When humans divert water from mountain streams, there is less water in the streams at certain times. The scientist in this study wanted to know whether stream channels are changed...
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In this FACTivity, you will examine the rings on a cross-section of a tree trunk. Can you determine how old the tree is and what growing conditions it experienced? Then...FACTivity – Quaking in Their Roots
In this FACTivity, you will examine the rings on a cross-section of a tree trunk. Can you determine how old the tree is and what growing conditions it experienced? Then... -
Test your knowledge about biodiversity, ecosystems, and conifers.Word Search – Quaking in Their Roots
Test your knowledge about biodiversity, ecosystems, and conifers. -
In this FACTivity, you will compare and contrast sterilized potting soil with soil samples taken from the woods, a garden, or a yard or field. As an extension activity, you...FACTivity – Are We Having Fungi Yet?
In this FACTivity, you will compare and contrast sterilized potting soil with soil samples taken from the woods, a garden, or a yard or field. As an extension activity, you... -
Test your knowledge about native organisms, fungicide, and timber.Word Search – Are We Having Fungi Yet?
Test your knowledge about native organisms, fungicide, and timber. -
In this FACTivity, you will determine whether trampling has an effect on plants by simulating different conditions. Materials: Four shoeboxes or similarly sized boxes, lined with plastic Four squares of...FACTivity – Quit Yer Horsin’ Around!
In this FACTivity, you will determine whether trampling has an effect on plants by simulating different conditions. Materials: Four shoeboxes or similarly sized boxes, lined with plastic Four squares of... -
Test your knowledge on vegetative cover, control groups, and erosion.Word Search – Quit Yer Horsin’ Around
Test your knowledge on vegetative cover, control groups, and erosion. -
In this set of two FACTivities, you will first compare a cactus, a fern, and another plant you select to determine how the plants are adapted to their native environments....FACTivity – Finding Ways to Soak Up the Rays
In this set of two FACTivities, you will first compare a cactus, a fern, and another plant you select to determine how the plants are adapted to their native environments.... -
Test your knowledge on photosynthesis, biomass, and elevation.Word Search – Finding Ways to Soak Up the Rays
Test your knowledge on photosynthesis, biomass, and elevation. -
In this FACTivity, you will collect five soil samples, each from a different area, and compare them. Materials: Five shoeboxes or other small containers, lined with plastic A trowel or...FACTivity – There Goes the Neighborhood
In this FACTivity, you will collect five soil samples, each from a different area, and compare them. Materials: Five shoeboxes or other small containers, lined with plastic A trowel or... -
Test your knowledge on fragmentation, population density, and habitats.Word Search – There Goes the Neighborhood
Test your knowledge on fragmentation, population density, and habitats. -
In this FACTivity, you are going to discover whether a sample of your class can represent the whole class. You will conduct a short survey about recreational activities and compare...FACTivity – Slip Sliding Away
In this FACTivity, you are going to discover whether a sample of your class can represent the whole class. You will conduct a short survey about recreational activities and compare... -
Test your knowledge on natural resources, outdoors recreation, and sample size.Word Search – Slip Sliding Away
Test your knowledge on natural resources, outdoors recreation, and sample size. -
When vegetation near streams and rivers is disturbed or removed, it can no longer hold the soil in place. When this happens, soil may flow into streams and rivers. What...FACTivity – Go With the Flow!
When vegetation near streams and rivers is disturbed or removed, it can no longer hold the soil in place. When this happens, soil may flow into streams and rivers. What... -
Test your knowledge on diversion dams, reservoirs, and water channels.Word Search – Go With the Flow
Test your knowledge on diversion dams, reservoirs, and water channels.
Glossary
View All GlossaryClassroom Review Board
Penny Stone’s 6th Grade Class
- Bennion Elementary School
- Salt Lake City, UT
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Dale Bartos
“I like being a scientist because I enjoy working with natural systems and attempting to understand how they function. I am able to communicate this information to the land managers...View Profile -
David Cole
I like being a scientist because I get to exercise my curiosity and discover things that might help make the world a better place.View Profile -
Ken Cordell
“I like my work and working for the Forest Service very much. My work as a scientist involves studying how people relate to the natural world and what they like...View Profile -
Christina Hargis
I like being a scientist because I get to find out new things about the world that nobody else has discovered. Usually the things I discover are very small facts,...View Profile -
Debbie Page-Dumroese
I like being a scientist because I love learning about how different soils grow unique forest plants and fungi, and I like working on ways to continue harvesting timber without...View Profile -
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Anna Schoettle
“I like being a scientist because it is fun to ask questions, solve problems, and discover new information about plants and ecosystems.” “My favorite science experience is exploring the relationships...View Profile
Standards addressed in this Journal:
Social Studies Standards
- People, Places, and Environments
- Science, Technology, and Society
- Time, Continuity, and Change
Note To Educators
The Forest Service's Mission
The Forest Service’s mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the Nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations. For more than 100 years, our motto has been “caring for the land and serving people.” The Forest Service, an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), recognizes its responsibility to be engaged in efforts to connect youth to nature and to promote the development of science-based conservation education programs and materials nationwide.
What Is the Natural Inquirer?
Natural Inquirer is a science education resource journal to be used by students in grade 6 and up. Natural Inquirer contains articles describing environmental and natural resource research conducted by Forest Service scientists and their cooperators. These scientific journal articles have been reformatted to meet the needs of middle school students. The articles are easy to understand, are aesthetically pleasing to the eye, contain glossaries, and include hands-on activities. The goal of Natural Inquirer is to stimulate critical reading and thinking about scientific inquiry and investigation while teaching about ecology, the natural environment, and natural resources.
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Meet the Scientists
Introduces students to the scientists who did the research. This section may be used in a discussion about careers in science.
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What Kinds of Scientist Did This Research?
Introduces students to the scientific disciplines of the scientists who conducted the research.
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Thinking About Science
Introduces something new about the scientific process, such as a scientific habit of mind or procedures used in scientific studies.
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Thinking About the Environment
Introduces the environmental topic being addressed in the research.
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Introduction
Introduces the problem or question that the research addresses.
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Method
Describes the method the scientists used to collect and analyze their data.
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Findings & Discussion
Describes the results of the analysis. Addresses the findings and places them into the context of the original problem or question.
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Reflection Section
Presents questions aimed at stimulating critical thinking about what has been read or predicting what might be presented in the next section. These questions are placed at the end of each of the main article sections.
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Number Crunches
Presents an easy math problem related to the research.
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Glossary
Defines potentially new scientific or other terms to students. The first occurrence of a glossary word is bold in the text.
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Citation
Gives the original article citation with an internet link to the original article.
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FACTivity
Presents a hands-on activity that emphasizes something presented in the article.
Science Education Standards
You will find a listing of education standards which are addressed by each article at the back of each publication and on our website.
We Welcome Feedback
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Contact
Jessica Nickelsen
Director, Natural Inquirer program -
Email