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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...Part Of
Rocky Mountain - Vol. 2 No. 1
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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....Part Of
Rocky Mountain - Vol. 2 No. 1
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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...Part Of
Rocky Mountain - Vol. 2 No. 1
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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...Part Of
Rocky Mountain - Vol. 2 No. 1
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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...Part Of
Rocky Mountain - Vol. 2 No. 1
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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...Part Of
Rocky Mountain - Vol. 2 No. 1
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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...Part Of
Rocky Mountain - Vol. 2 No. 1
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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 Glossaryadapt
(ǝ dapt): To change so as to fit a new or specific use or situation.
back country
(bak kǝn trē): A remote undeveloped rural area.
biodiversity
(bī ō dǝ vǝr sǝ tē ): Biological variety in an environment as indicated by numbers of different species of plants and animals.
biomass
(bī ō mas): The amount of living matter (in a unit area or volume of habitat).
channel
(cha nǝl): The bed where a natural stream of water runs.
conifer
(kä nǝ fǝr): Any of an order of mostly evergreen trees and shrubs that have leaves resembling needles or scales, including trees and shrubs (like pines) that have true cones.
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.
crown
(krau̇n): The highest part of the leaves and branches of a tree or shrub.
distribution
(di strǝ byü shǝn): The natural geographic range of a living thing.
diversion dam
(dǝ vǝr zhǝn dam): A barrier that diverts all or a portion of the flow of a river from its natural course.
divert
(dǝ vǝrt): To turn from one course or use to another.
domestic
(dǝ me stik): Living with or under the care of human beings.
ecosystem
(ē kō sis tǝm): A system made up of an ecological community of living things interacting with their environment especially under natural conditions.
elevation
(e lǝ vā shǝn): The height above sea level.
erosion
(i rō zhǝn): The process of deteriorating or disappearing by wearing away.
foliage
(fō lē ij): The mass of leaves of a plant or plants.
forage
(fȯr ij): (noun) Food for browsing or grazing animals.
(verb) To wander in search of forage or food.
forest manager
(fȯr ǝst ma ni jǝr): A person who manages a forest; in the Forest Service, forest managers focus on managing vegetation, restoring ecosystems, reducing hazards, and maintaining forest health (definition from USDA Forest Service).
forest stand
(fȯr ǝst stand ): A group of plants growing in a continuous area, in this case a forest.
fragile
(fra jǝl): Easily broken or destroyed; delicate.
fumigation
(fyü mǝ gā shǝn): The process of applying smoke, vapor, or gas to something especially for the purpose of disinfecting or of destroying pests.
fungicide
(fǝn jǝ sīd): A substance that destroys fungi or inhibits their growth.
harvest
(här vǝst): To gather in a crop.
hypothesize
(hī pä thǝ sīz): To make 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.
mutually beneficial
(myü chǝ wǝ lē ben ǝ fish ǝl): Producing good results, advantages, or benefits for both of two people, groups, or organisms.
native
(nā tiv): Living or growing naturally in a particular region.
natural history
(na ch(ǝ) rǝl hi st(ǝ) rē): The natural development of something (such as an organism or disease) over a period of time.
natural resource
(na ch(ǝ) rǝl rē sȯrs): A feature or phenomenon in nature that enhances the quality of human life.
nursery
(nǝr s(ǝ) rē): A place where plants (like trees or shrubs) are grown for transplanting, for use as stocks in grafting, or for sale.
nutrient
(nü trē ǝnt): A substance or ingredient that promotes growth, provides energy, and maintains life.
periodically
(pir ē ä di k(ǝ) lē): At regular intervals of time; from time to time.
photosynthesis
(fō tō sin thǝ sǝs): The process by which plants (and some bacteria and protists) that contain chlorophyll make carbohydrates from water and from carbon dioxide in the air in the presence of light.
reservoir
(re zǝ vwär): An artificial lake where water is collected and kept in quantity for use.
scarce
(skers): Lacking in quantity or number; not plentiful.
seedling
(sēd liŋ): A young plant grown from a seed.
stability
(stǝ bi lǝ tē): The quality, state, or degree of being stable, such as the strength to stand or endure.
statistical test
(stǝ ti sti kǝl test): A test that uses numbers and probability to determine relationship.
succession
(sǝk se shǝn): A series of one-way changes in the composition of a biological community in which one group of plants or animals is replaced by a different group.
suppress
(sǝ pres): To slow or stop the growth or development of.
timber
(tim bǝr): Trees that are still growing or their wood.
trampling
(tram p(ǝ) liŋ): Walking or traveling heavily so as to bruise, crush, or injure things underfoot.
treatment
(trēt mǝnt): Something that researchers administer or change in experimental units to test something or run a trial.
vegetation
(ve jǝ tā shǝn): Plant life or total plant cover of an area.
vegetative cover
(ve jǝ tā tiv kǝ vǝr): Plants that cover the ground.
Classroom Review Board
Penny Stone’s 6th Grade Class
- Bennion Elementary School
- Salt Lake City, UT
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Dale Bartos
Plant Ecologist
“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
Environmental Science
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
Social Scientist
“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
Wildlife Biologist
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
Soil Scientist
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 -
Sandra Ryan-Burkett
Geomorphologist
I like being a scientist because I like to solve problems.View Profile -
Anna Schoettle
Ecophysiologist
“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
Additional Resources
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USDA Forest Service: Rocky Mountain Research Station
The Rocky Mountain Research Station works at the forefront of science to improve the health and use of our Nation's forests and grasslands.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.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