NSI: Nature Science Investigator
NSI: Nature Science Investigator (NSI) is a self-guided activity book for children ages 8-14. The booklet enables each student to become the scientist! Eleven scientists are highlighted. Students are introduced to 2-3 outdoor, hands-on activities for each scientist. Use NSI in the schoolyard, at home, in the park, or at the campground!
Download the entire PDF or individual pages below!
Ken Cordell - Social Scientist
Dr. Ken Cordell is a social scientist who asks questions about how people value and use our natural lands. He looks at trends in outdoor activity participation, such as yearly changes in the numbers of hikers or campers. This can help natural land managers better protect the natural resources.
Scott Horn - Entomologist
Scott Horn is an entomologist who asks questions about the impacts of forest management on insect communities. He is interested in how pollinator insects, such as bees, are affected by invasive plant species. Invasive species are any plant, animal, or organism that is not native to the ecosystem it is in and is likely to cause harm to the environment, the economy, or human health.
Yvette Ortega - Ecologist
Yvette Ortega is an ecologist who asks questions about the impact of habitat conditions on various animals and their life histories. She wants to know how animals, such as fishers (a type of mammal), or songbirds are impacted by changes in their habitat.
Quin Holifield - Soil Scientist
Dr. Quin Holifield is a soil scientist who asks questions about how soil affects
the health of plants and animals. She wants to know if organisms living in the soil could indicate the health of plants and animals in the area.
Paul Hamel - Wildlife Biologist, Ornithologist
Dr. Paul Hamel is an ornithologist who asks questions about the balance between living a comfortable human life and maintaining good habitat for migratory birds. Migratory birds are birds that have the characteristic of moving from one place to another on a periodic basis.
Trista Patterson - Economist
Dr. Trista Patterson is an ecological economist who asks questions about the
dollar value that we place on natural resources.
Brian Potter - Atmospheric Scientist
Dr. Brian Potter is an atmospheric scientist. He asks questions about the impact of weather on wildfires and how wildfires may affect the weather.
Serra Hoagland - Biological Scientist
Dr. Serra Hoagland is a biological scientist who asks questions regarding the
conservation of wildlife. She is particularly interested in examining how areas
with healthy habitats are connected across a landscape. She is also interested in the impact of wildlife interactions with humans.
Ge Sun - Hydrologist
Dr. Ge Sun is a hydrologist who asks questions about the impact of plants on the water cycle and the use of water by plants throughout a watershed.
He is particularly interested in how climate change may affect the water cycle.
Courtney Meier - Plant Ecologist
Dr. Courtney Meier is a plant ecologist at the National Ecological Observatory Network. He investigates links between plants, soil microbes, nutrients, and plant growth within the context of environmental change.
Callie Schweitzer - Research Forester
Dr. Callie Schweitzer is a research forester who asks questions about how
to predict tree growth and which tree species grow best.