Skip to main content
Natural Inquirer - Homepage

Free Science Materials for K-12 Students

  • Bookmarks
  • Cart0
  • Account
  • Find Outdoors
  • USDA
  • USDA Forest Service logo.
Natural Inquirer - Homepage
  • About
    • About Natural Inquirer
    • Team
    • Partners
    • Press & Past Events
    • Contact Us
  • Resources
    • View All Resources
    • Grade Levels
      • PreK - 2nd Grade
      • Upper Elementary
      • Middle School
      • High School
      • All Grade Levels
    • Resource Types
      • Articles
      • Activities
      • Collector Cards
      • Coloring Books
      • Glossary
      • Lesson Plans
      • Scientists & Collaborators
      • Spotlights
      • Virtual Learning Adventures
      • All Types
    • Resource Topics
      • Wilderness
      • Wildlife
      • Water
      • Climate
      • Social Science
      • Fire
      • Agriculture
      • Recreation
      • Carbon
      • Insects
      • All Topics
    • Special Collections
      • Artemis Moon Trees
      • Experimental Forests & Ranges
      • Project Learning Tree Connections
      • Globe Connections
      • Smokey Bear
      • Spanish Editions
      • Woodsy Owl
      • World's Forests
      • All Special Collections
  • Order Materials
    • View All Products
    • Journals & Monographs
    • Readers
    • Collector Card Packs
    • Coloring Books
  • Educators
    • For Educators
      • Note to Educators
      • Educator Blog
      • Educator Newsletter
    • Classroom Ready Resources
      • Lesson Plans
      • Activities
      • Learning Modules
      • GLOBE Connections
      • Project Learning Tree
    • Get Involved
      • Volunteer Your Classroom
  • Virtual Learning Adventures
  • Bookmarks
  • Cart
  • Account
  • About
    • About Natural Inquirer
    • Team
    • Partners
    • Press & Past Events
    • Contact
  • Resources
        • View All Resources
        • By Grade
          • PreK - 2nd
          • Upper Elementary
          • Middle School
          • High School
        • By Type
          • Articles
          • Activities
          • Collector Cards
          • Coloring Books
          • Glossary
          • Lesson Plans
          • Learning Modules
          • Journals
          • Monographs
          • Readers
          • Scientists & Collaborators
          • Spotlights
          • Virtual Learning Adventures
          • All Types
        • By Topic
          • Agriculture
          • Carbon
          • Climate
          • Fire
          • Insects
          • Recreation
          • Social Science
          • Water
          • Wilderness
          • Wildlife
          • All Topics
        • Special Collections
          • Artemis Moon Trees
          • Experimental Forests and Ranges
          • GLOBE Connections
          • Project Learning Tree Connections
          • Smokey Bear
          • Spanish Editions
          • Woodsy Owl
          • World's Forests
          • All Special Collections
  • Order Materials
        • Download all resources - FREE!

          **Due to recent government funding changes, we currently are only able to process bulk orders.** We hope that we will be able to resolve this issue in the near future. In the meantime, please feel free to download our resources and explore the website for many great lesson plans and activities. Thank you!

          View All Products
        • Journals & Monographs

          Journals focus on a group of related articles, while monographs focus on one research article.

          Journals & Monographs
        • Collector Cards

          Learn about possible career opportunities in science!

          View All Card Packs
        • Readers

          For a PreK-2nd grade audience, each Reader focuses on one Forest Service scientist and their research.

          View All Readers
        • Coloring Books

          Learn more about science through our coloring books!

          View All Coloring Books
  • Educators
        • Overview
          • Educator Guide
        • Classroom Ready Resources
          • Learning Modules
          • Lesson Plans
          • Explore All
        • Order Materials
          • View All Free Products
          • Contact Us
        • For Educators
          • Educator Blog
          • Educator Newsletter
          • Project Learning Tree
        • Get Involved
          • Volunteer Your Classroom
  • Virtual Learning Adventures
  • Home
  • Products
  • Investi-gator (Northern Research Station) – Vol. 1 No. 1
Front cover of Investi-gator (Northern Research Station) with autumn leaves wrapped around the Earth
Bookmark
Please login to bookmark Close

Please login to bookmark


Lost your password?

No account yet? Register

Investi-gator (Northern Research Station) – Vol. 1 No. 1

  • Journal
  • Upper Elementary
  • Climate
  • Pollution
  • Social Science
  • Water
  • Wilderness
  • Climate
  • Environmental Policy
  • Leaf Change
  • Microbes
  • Nitrogen
  • Ozone
  • Soil Sample
Front cover of Investi-gator (Northern Research Station) with autumn leaves wrapped around the Earth
SHARE
  • Copy Link
  • Facebook
  • X (Twitter)
  • Pinterest
  • Email
  • Google Classroom

Investi-gator is a sister publication to Natural Inquirer serving students in grades 4 or higher. The Northern Research Station Investi-gator includes research done by scientists in the Northern United States. Learn about leaf color change, how ozone affects tree growth, and soil activity in winter.

$0.00

Out of Stock, Download PDF below

SHARE
  • Copy Link
  • Facebook
  • X (Twitter)
  • Pinterest
  • Email
  • Google Classroom

Highlights

  • 4 Articles
  • 7 Activities
  • Lesson Plan
  • Glossary
  • Leaves change color in the fall. Cooler temperatures in the fall cause the chlorophyll in leaves to break down. When chlorophyll, which is green, begins to break down in leaves,...

    Are You Red-dy to Change? Learning What Things Affect Leaf Color Change

    • Article
    • Upper Elementary
    • 1 Classroom Period
    • Climate
    • Wilderness
    • Air Temperature
    • Climate
    • Deciduous Trees
    • Leaf Change
    • Nitrogen
    Leaves change color in the fall. Cooler temperatures in the fall cause the chlorophyll in leaves to break down. When chlorophyll, which is green, begins to break down in leaves,...
    Explore Article Download Article (PDF)
    Explore Article Download Article (PDF)

    Part Of

    Investi-gator (Northern Research Station) - Vol. 1 No. 1

  • In recent years, humans have been burning more and more fossil fuels. Fossil fuels are oil, natural gas, and coal. One of the extra products created by burning fossil fuels...

    No Littering O-Zone: How Rising Ozone Levels Affect Tree Growth

    • Article
    • Upper Elementary
    • 1 Classroom Period
    • Carbon
    • Climate
    • Pollution
    • Wilderness
    • Carbon
    • Fossil Fuels
    • Leaf Litter
    • Nitrogen
    • Ozone
    • Tree Health
    In recent years, humans have been burning more and more fossil fuels. Fossil fuels are oil, natural gas, and coal. One of the extra products created by burning fossil fuels...
    Explore Article Download Article (PDF)
    Explore Article Download Article (PDF)

    Part Of

    Investi-gator (Northern Research Station) - Vol. 1 No. 1

  • Over the next 25 to 45 years, scientists think the Nation’s population will double. As the population increases, cities, suburbs, and towns use more and more land. In order to...

    Out of the Penalty Box: Protecting the Environment through Policies

    • Article
    • Upper Elementary
    • 1 Classroom Period
    • Social Science
    • Wilderness
    • Environmental Policy
    • Land Use
    • Policy Analysis
    • Urban Sprawl
    Over the next 25 to 45 years, scientists think the Nation’s population will double. As the population increases, cities, suburbs, and towns use more and more land. In order to...
    Explore Article Download Article (PDF)
    Explore Article Download Article (PDF)

    Part Of

    Investi-gator (Northern Research Station) - Vol. 1 No. 1

  • Scientists believe that Earth’s climate is getting warmer. If the climate continues to get warmer, then there could be more cycles of freezing and thawing. The scientists wondered what would...

    Snowed In? A Closer Look at Soil Activity in the Wintertime

    • Article
    • Upper Elementary
    • 1 Classroom Period
    • Climate
    • Climate Change
    • Freeze and Thaw
    • Microbes
    • Snow
    • Soil
    Scientists believe that Earth’s climate is getting warmer. If the climate continues to get warmer, then there could be more cycles of freezing and thawing. The scientists wondered what would...
    Explore Article Download Article (PDF)
    Explore Article Download Article (PDF)

    Part Of

    Investi-gator (Northern Research Station) - Vol. 1 No. 1

  • In this FACTivity, you will imagine what sugar maple trees in the northeastern United States might look like at four different times during the fall. Materials: Four sheets of plain...

    FACTivity – Are You Red-dy to Change?

    • Activity
    • Upper Elementary
    • 1 Classroom Period
    • Climate
    • Wilderness
    • Leaf Change
    • Maple Tree
    • Phenology
    • Seasons
    In this FACTivity, you will imagine what sugar maple trees in the northeastern United States might look like at four different times during the fall. Materials: Four sheets of plain...
    Explore Activity Download FACTivity (PDF)
    Explore Activity Download FACTivity (PDF)

    Part Of

    Are You Red-dy to Change? Learning What Things Affect Leaf Color Change

  • The question you will explore in this FACTivity is: How does ozone in the troposphere and stratosphere impact Earth? Materials: Access to a library or internet for research Poster-making materials

    FACTivity – No Littering O-Zone

    • Activity
    • Upper Elementary
    • 2-3 Classroom Periods
    • Pollution
    • Air Pollution
    • Ozone
    • Stratosphere
    • Student Research
    • Troposphere
    The question you will explore in this FACTivity is: How does ozone in the troposphere and stratosphere impact Earth? Materials: Access to a library or internet for research Poster-making materials
    Explore Activity Download FACTivity (PDF)
    Explore Activity Download FACTivity (PDF)

    Part Of

    No Littering O-Zone: How Rising Ozone Levels Affect Tree Growth

  • In pairs or in groups, you will identify five policies that exist in your school and analyze who they affect, how they are implemented, what their impacts are, and how...

    FACTivity – Out of the Penalty Box

    • Activity
    • Upper Elementary
    • 1 Classroom Period
    • Social Science
    • Environmental Policy
    • Governance
    • Policy Analysis
    In pairs or in groups, you will identify five policies that exist in your school and analyze who they affect, how they are implemented, what their impacts are, and how...
    Explore Activity Download FACTivity (PDF)
    Explore Activity Download FACTivity (PDF)

    Part Of

    Out of the Penalty Box: Protecting the Environment through Policies

  • In this FACTivity, students will investigate the soil in their school yard and some soil from home. Materials: At least 5 empty plastic bins 5 small hand trowels Magnifying lens...

    FACTivity – Snowed In?

    • Activity
    • Upper Elementary
    • 2-3 Classroom Periods
    • Compare and Contrast
    • Data Collection
    • Observation
    • Outdoor Activity
    • Sampling
    • Soil Sample
    In this FACTivity, students will investigate the soil in their school yard and some soil from home. Materials: At least 5 empty plastic bins 5 small hand trowels Magnifying lens...
    Explore Activity Download FACTivity (PDF)
    Explore Activity Download FACTivity (PDF)

    Part Of

    Investi-gator (Northern Research Station) - Vol. 1 No. 1

  • After reading the Investi-gator (Northern Research Station), test your knowledge with a crossword puzzle.

    Crossword – Investi-gator (Northern Research Station)

    • Activity
    • Upper Elementary
    • Less than 30 minutes
    • Climate
    • Pollution
    • Ecosystem
    • Fossil Fuels
    • Nitrogen
    • Oxygen
    • Vocabulary
    After reading the Investi-gator (Northern Research Station), test your knowledge with a crossword puzzle.
    Explore Activity Download Activity (PDF)
    Explore Activity Download Activity (PDF)

    Part Of

    Investi-gator (Northern Research Station) - Vol. 1 No. 1

  • Finished reading the Investi-gator (Northern Research Station)? See how much you learned by completing one or both of these word searches!

    Word Searches – Investi-gator (Northern Research Station)

    • Activity
    • Upper Elementary
    • Less than 30 minutes
    • Climate
    • Water
    • Wilderness
    • Wildlife
    • Arctic
    • Coniferous Trees
    • Deciduous Trees
    • Ecosystem
    • Policy
    • Vocabulary
    • Watershed
    Finished reading the Investi-gator (Northern Research Station)? See how much you learned by completing one or both of these word searches!
    Explore Activity Download Activity (PDF)
    Explore Activity Download Activity (PDF)

    Part Of

    Investi-gator (Northern Research Station) - Vol. 1 No. 1

Glossary

View All Glossary
  • alpine

    (al pīn): Of, relating to, or growing on mountain slopes above the highest elevation where trees grow.

  • altitude

    (al tə tüd): The vertical distance of an object above a given level (such as sea level).

  • anthocyanin

    (an(t) thə sī ə nən): Any of various soluble pigments producing blue to red coloring in flowers and plants.

  • arctic

    (ärk tik): Of, relating to, or suitable for use at the north pole or the region around it.

  • aurora borealis

    (ə rȯr ə bȯr ē a ləs): an aurora, or a phenomenon that consists of streamers or arches of light, that occurs in Earth’s northern hemisphere, also called the northern lights.

  • axis

    (ak səs): A straight line about which a body or geometric figure rotates.

  • chlorophyll

    (klȯr ǝ fil): The green coloring matter that is found chiefly in the chloroplasts of plants and is necessary for photosynthesis.

  • climate

    (klī mǝt): The average weather conditions of a particular place or region over a period of years.

  • control

    (kǝn trōl): A variable factor that has been kept constant and which is used as a standard of comparison to the experimental component in a controlled experiment.

  • criteria

    (krī tir ē ə): (singular: criterion) A standard on which a judgment or decision may be based.

  • deciduous

    (di si jǝ wǝs): Having parts, like leaves, that fall off or shed seasonally or at a certain stage of development in the life cycle.

  • ecological

    (ē kə lä ji kəl): Of or relating to the environments of living things or to the relationships between living things and their environments.

  • equation

    (i kwā zhǝn): A statement of the equality of two mathematical expressions.

  • estuary

    (es chə wer ē): A water passage where the tide meets a river current.

  • evaluate

    (i val yə wāt): To decide the value or worth of after study.

  • fossil fuel

    (fä sǝl fyü(ǝ)l): A fuel (such as coal, oil, or natural gas) formed in the Earth from plant or animal remains.

  • habitat

    (ha bә tat): The place or environment where a plant or animal naturally or normally lives and grows.

  • hypothesis

    (hī pä thǝ sǝs): An assumption or idea that is proposed for the sake of argument so that it can be tested to see if it might be true.

  • insulate

    (in(t) sə lāt): To separate from conducting bodies by means of nonconductors so as to prevent transfer of electricity, heat, or sound.

  • laboratory

    (la b(ə-)rə tȯr ē): A place equipped for making scientific experiments and tests.

  • leaf litter

    (lēf li tər): Dead plant material, like leaves and twigs.

  • microbe

    (mī krōb): An organism (such as a bacterium) of microscopic or less than microscopic size; a germ.

  • migratory

    (mī grǝ tȯr ē): Of, relating to, or characterized by moving, usually periodically, from one region or climate to another for feeding or breeding.

  • nitrogen

    (nī trə jən): A colorless tasteless odorless element that occurs as a gas which makes up 78 percent of the atmosphere and that forms a part of all living tissues.

  • nutrient

    (nü trē ǝnt): A substance or ingredient that promotes growth, provides energy, and maintains life.

  • observation

    (äb sәr vā shәn): An act of recognizing and noting a fact or occurrence often involving measurement with instruments.

  • organism

    (ȯr gǝ ni zǝm): An individual living thing that carries on the activities of life by means of organs which have separate functions but are dependent on each other: a living person, plant, or animal.

  • ozone

    (ō zōn): A form of oxygen that is a bluish, irritating, sharp-smelling gas containing three atoms per molecule, and that is used especially in disinfecting, deodorizing, and bleaching.

  • policy

    (pä lə sē): A course of action chosen in order to guide people in making decisions.

  • smog

    (smäg): A thick haze caused by the action of sunlight on air polluted especially by smoke and automobile exhaust fumes.

  • stratosphere

    (stra tə sfir): An upper portion of the atmosphere above the troposphere where temperature changes little and clouds rarely form.

  • troposphere

    (trō pǝ sfir): The portion of the atmosphere which extends from the Earth’s surface to the bottom of the stratosphere (a distance of about 7 miles or 11 kilometers) and in which temperature generally decreases rapidly with altitude.

  • urban

    (ǝr bǝn): Of, relating to, typical of, or being a city.

  • watershed

    (wȯ tǝr shed): A region or area bounded on the edge by a dividing ridge and draining ultimately to a particular watercourse or body of water.

Classroom Review Board

Lyman Hall and Myers Elementary Schools

  • Lyman Hall and Myers Elementary Schools
  • Gainesville, GA

Editorial Review Board Comments

  • “I liked the FACTivity (for the ozone article).”

  • “I liked the layout, but I’d like color pictures.”

  • “You should give a little more information in the captions.”

  • “It would be good to have an index at the end.”

  • “I think that it is a great article for kids my age.”

  • “Number crunch was confusing.”

  • “Make sure to show pictures of the important facts.”

  • “I liked the glossary but would like to have the word defined on the page where the word is located.”

View All Classrooms
  • Dr. Bengston sitting under a tree with Korean university students

    David Bengston

    Forester

    My favorite science experience was learning about urban growth and urban policies in South Korea. I learned about them when I was a visiting scientist at Seoul National University during...
    View Profile
  • Dr. Campbell standing in snowy woods

    John Campbell

    Ecologist

    My favorite science experience was seeing the aurora borealis (northern lights) while hiking back from a long day of fieldwork in Adirondack Mountains in New York.
    View Profile
  • Dr. Christenson standing next to a moose

    Lynn Christenson

    Ecologist

    It is difficult to pick just one experience; science can be really fun (most of the time!). So if I have to choose just one, it would be tracking moose...
    View Profile
  • Photo of Christian Giardina behind a large plant.

    Christian Giardina

    Forest Ecologist

    I like being a scientist because I like understanding how nature works. It is great to have a job studying plants and animals and the forests in which they live....
    View Profile
  • Dr. Groffman in Antarctica

    Peter Groffman

    Ecologist

    My favorite science experience was when we looked at the chemical results from our field experiments. We saw that our experiment had worked and that our hypotheses about the effects...
    View Profile
  • Dr. King speaking into a microphone in a field to a group of scientists

    John King

    Forest Ecologist | Plant Physiologist

    There are so many rewards to a career in science that it is difficult to pick a single favorite experience. The thing I like best about it is the ability...
    View Profile
  • Lingli Liu stands outside in front of a green field.

    Lingli Liu

    Ecologist

    The great thing about being an ecologist is you are always on the way to discovering the secrets of nature. To answer a scientific question, you need to design an...
    View Profile
  • Dr. Mitchell standing in front of a tree and water

    Myron Mitchell

    Biogeochemist | Hydrologist | Professor of Forestry

    I am most interested in understanding how climate change is affecting watersheds. A watershed is an area of land from which all of the water drains into one stream or...
    View Profile
  • Ms Murakami on a rock with two boys

    Paula Murakami

    Biological Sciences Lab Technician

    My favorite science experience is the opportunity to learn new things! Whether it is in the laboratory or in the woods, there is always something new to be discovered. Recently...
    View Profile
  • Headshot of Kristen Nelson.

    Kristen Nelson

    Environmental Sociologist

    My favorite science experience was working with Mayan farmers and scientists to solve problems in Chiapas, Mexico. We worked on many different projects. In one community, we worked on projects...
    View Profile
  • Dr. Schaberg hiking in the snow

    Paul Schaberg

    Plant Physiologist

    My favorite science experience is getting an unexpected result to an experiment. Sure, it is great to develop a hypothesis and test it in an experiment. A hypothesis is an...
    View Profile
  • Dr. Shane shows students leaves on a tree branch.

    John Shane

    Professor of Forestry

    My favorite science experience was figuring out the movements of the Moon and their effects on the Moon’s nightly arc over all different moon phases and seasons. It was the...
    View Profile
  • Natural Inquirer bee with a magnifying glass

    Abby van den Berg

    Professor of Plant Biology

    I currently do research on the maple sugaring process. One of my favorite science experiences is talking to maple sugarmakers about the results of a research project. It’s a great...
    View Profile

Jump To

  • Educator Guide
  • Lesson Plans

About Investi-gator

The Investi-gator is another member of the Natural Inquirer family. The Natural Inquirer, for middle school students, and the Investi-gator, for upper elementary students, present science the way scientists most often share their research with each other. That process is the written scientific paper. Each Investi-gator article presents research conducted by Forest Service scientists and their cooperators. All the research in the Investi-gator is concerned with nature or with society’s relationship to nature.

  • Meet the Scientist

    An introduction to the scientist or scientists who conducted the research.

  • Thinking About Science

    A short introduction to something about the scientific process that is related to the research being presented.

  • Thinking About the Environment

    A short introduction to something about the natural environment that is related to the research being presented.

  • Introduction

    The part of the written scientific paper that introduces the scientific problem or question the scientists wants to solve or answer.

  • Method

    The part of the written scientific paper that describes how the scientists collected and analyzed their data or information.

  • Findings

    The part of the written scientific paper that describes what the scientists discovered.

  • Discussion

    The part of the written scientific paper that summarizes the research and offers any new insights.

  • Reflection Section

    These are questions placed after the Introduction, Methods, Findings, and Discussion sections. The purpose of the questions is to help students think about what they have read.

  • Glossary

    Possible new terms you will find in the article. Glossary words are printed in bold in the article.

  • FACTivity

    This is an activity that you can do in your classroom.

Lessons

  • Introduce the scientific process, as expressed in scientific writing, to your students. This lesson plan will walk you through how to do a guided reading of an Investi-gator article (or...

    Lesson Plan – Main Ideas

    • Lesson Plan
    • Upper Elementary
    • 2-3 Classroom Periods
    • Agriculture
    • Carbon
    • Citizen Science
    • Climate
    • Engineering and Forest Products
    • Fire
    • Insects
    • Pollinators
    • Pollution
    • Recreation
    • Social Science
    • Water
    • Wilderness
    • Wildlife
    • Guided reading
    • Main Ideas
    • Reading Comprehension
    • Reading for Information
    • Summarize
    Introduce the scientific process, as expressed in scientific writing, to your students. This lesson plan will walk you through how to do a guided reading of an Investi-gator article (or...
    Explore Lesson Plan Download Lesson Plan (PDF)
    Explore Lesson Plan Download Lesson Plan (PDF)

    Part Of

    Investi-gator (Northern Research Station) - Vol. 1 No. 1

Additional Resources

  • USDA Forest Service: Northern Research Station

    The Northern Research Station’s science is complex, but the need for the research is simple. Land managers, city planners, and policy-makers need sound science on all aspects of the natural world and its complex connections with people to achieve decisions resulting in a healthy and sustainable future for present and future generations of Americans.
    Visit Website
  • USDA Forest Service: Conservation Education

    Through Conservation Education, the Forest Service provides a variety of educational resources and programs for individuals of all ages to learn about the environment and our nation’s forests and grasslands. Through these hands-on, interactive learning opportunities, students, educators, and parents can explore how to become a responsible steward of our natural resources. There are also a variety of resources for teachers and parents to engage youth in environmental education and for exploring careers in conservation.
    Visit Website
  • FIND Outdoors

    Our story is rooted in education about the forest. Our passion is to help people become inspired. Our goal is to help people connect with nature. Our drive is to help people learn through discovery. Through forest-inspired nature discovery, we help people FIND Outdoors.
    Visit Website
Back to Top
  • Natural Inquirer - Homepage
  • Find Outdoors
  • USDA
  • USDA Forest Service logo.

The Natural Inquirer program produces a variety of science education materials for PreK through grade 12. Natural Inquirer products are produced by the USDA Forest Service, FIND Outdoors, and other cooperators and partners.

Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
* denotes mandatory fields
Loading
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • X, formerly Twitter
  • YouTube
  • About Natural Inquirer
  • Team
  • Partners
  • Press & Past Events
  • Contact Us
  • Accessibility Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Shipping Policy
© 2025 - Natural Inquirer | Website Credit