The River Mile Network
An Education Program of the National Park Service
|
|
|
Crayfish Research Project Update
|
|
Status of the Crayfish Study
As most of you know we have been ready to collect data about crayfish for nearly 2 years, but kept hitting road blocks. Well, it is finally here! Get your traps ready, clean off those scales, polish up your GPS unit and get ready to head outside!
Recently there have been several developments on the crayfish front. First, we decided to move forward with creating a more extensive educator's guide. Next we met Jim Ekins, University of Idaho, and Dr. Kim Holzer,
Agriculture Program Specialist — North Idaho Invasive Species and Noxious Weeds,Idaho State Department of Agriculture, who are working on
a crayfish field guide for Idaho. Kim then connected us with Dr. Eric Larson, University of Illinois, who has been studying crayfish in the Pacific Northwest for many years now. We have now formed a group to collaboratively develop materials and programs.
Our group had our first conference call on March 28, 2018. Each participant shared what they were doing with crayfish, what they were developing and what they could share with the group. Dr. Larson shared that there are some undescribed oddball Signal crayfish near Soap Lake and up in the Okanogan area and it would be helpful to get photographs and descriptions of them. He shared some current research about crayfish habits and migration AND told the group that we really only need to collect crayfish between June and November. He said it would not be worth it to obtain a permit as the winter months wont get any good information.
So, the Crayfish project is moving forward. We will have a specific Crayfish Study Period of September and October and will begin this coming fall. Of course any crayfish information is valuable, so if you get data at any time during the year please submit it! We have new forms for submitting data. These forms are easy to use, and submit the data directly to a publically shared ArcGIS Online Map. The data will also be available on therivermile.org.
We will have a variety of ways you can learn about participating in the study. We plan to prepare a webinar or two and maybe an online e-learning opportunity. As the methodology for collecting crayfish is not the emphasis this coming fall you do not have to participate in any formal in-person training. You will need to sign up and learn how to obtain and use the data collection form before September. You will also need to check your state's fishing regulations as all states are a little different. In Washington State you must have a fishing permit. You can find the data submission forms on The River Mile's website on the
data collection and submission
page.
To learn more about crayfish register for The River Mile Network Academy on Monday April 23rd. Dr. Larson will be a presenter!
The Crayfish Study Planning Team looks forward to seeing your data!
Janice Elvidge
Executive Director
|
|
OSPI Informal Science Educators Meeting
April 9, 2018
Vancouver, WA
|
In addition to exploring STEM and engineering through collaborative activities, we will have time for meeting attendees to share resources with one another. Stay tuned for other agenda details as the meeting gets closer!
Registration closes March 26, 2018
|
|
|
|
|
International Dark Sky Week
April 15-21, 2018
|
International Dark Sky Week draws attention to the problems associated with light pollution and promotes simple solutions available to mitigate it.
|
|
National Park Week
April 21-29, 2018
Throughout the U.S.
|
Celebrate the National Parks! All parks, historic sites, and monuments managed by the National Park Service are entry fee-free on April 21, 2018.
April 21st is also National Junior Ranger Day. Parks across the country will be hosting special events and programs for visitors.
|
|
|
Discovery Days
May 1-31, 2018
Various Locations in Eastern Washington
|
This exciting event is an exceptional opportunity for middle school students and teachers to explore the ecological, social and economic complexities of Lake Roosevelt's watershed. Programs are staffed by local resource specialists, including biologists, geologists, and foresters representing many different agencies. Sponsored and coordinated by Lake Roosevelt Forum in cooperation with numerous partners.
Free for ALL SCHOOLS!
|
|
|
|
|
Student Science Symposium
May 24, 2018
Whitworth University, Spokane
3rd - 12th Grade
|
Student participants will explore natural and cultural resources and learn how scientists and resource managers study and manage these resources.
Keynote speakers, special presentations, and concurrent sessions enhance understanding of the essential question: “How do relationships among components of an ecosystem affect watershed health?”
Free for ALL SCHOOLS!
|
|
|
|
Have an upcoming event
you'd like us to promote?
|
Our network partners are always on the move. If you would like to see your next event in our quarterly newsletter, please email us at
LARO_river_mile@nps.gov
.
Want to see it on The River Mile's website? Use the link below.
|
|
Call for the 2018 Student Science Symposium Keynote Speaker
|
It's almost time for this year's Student Science Symposium and we are looking for a keynote speaker!
If you or someone you know would be interested in sharing and encouraging students, please consider joining us!
About the Symposium
The Student Science Symposium will be held at Whitworth University in Spokane, WA on May 24th. This event offers 3rd-12
th
grade students and teachers the opportunity to explore natural and cultural resources to learn about the environment and how scientists and resource managers (cultural and natural) learn about and manage our natural resources. Keynote speakers, special presentations and concurrent sessions are selected to enhance students understanding of the essential question: “How do relationships between components of an ecosystem in a watershed affect water quality?” The symposium serves between 100 and 250 students.
The Keynote Speech
We invite you to be a part of the Student Science Symposium and share your profession and career choice to inspire students to pursue careers in natural and cultural resources. We are interested in any program that inspires students to be better stewards of their home.
The keynote is designed to:
- Encourage students to explore college studies and professional careers in natural and cultural resources;
- Connect students with real world scientific, natural resource and cultural resource professionals and their work;
- Provide inspiration;
- Ensure that students participate in events and training which is part of real world natural and cultural resource projects, topics or events; and
- Provide students with information they might be able to use when working with their outdoor classrooms.
Please share your career experience, what you do, and how you got to where you are in your career. It would be good if we can connect what students do at their sites now with what they can do (give them ideas for projects as well as career options) and remind them that they are contributing to, learning about and using scientific practices. After the keynote we will have students gather in smaller groups to discuss the presentation and gather any questions. There will then be a question and answer session with the keynote speaker.
|
|
The Science of Forest Fires
|
|
Mystery Science:
Ready-to-Use
Investigative STEM Lessons
|
|
Did you know that forest managers shoot Ping-Pong-like fireballs from helicopters to start fires?
Fire season is around the corner and Project Learning Tree has a few ideas to get students connected to fire as a forestry management tool. Students can design a home and landscape plan to keep their family safe, or you can have them engineer Ping-Pong ball launching devices!
|
|
Teachers across the watershed are raving about Mystery Science! Sign up for a free account and get access to complete lessons that engage students in solving mysteries with science.
Lessons include short introductory videos or readings, followed by a hands-on activity with step-by-step student instructions. Check it out!
|
|
Does WIFI Radiation
Affect Living Cells?
A group of 9th grade girls in Europe conducted research to find out! Check out this article for a great example of students using science to answer a real-life question meaningful to them.
As one expert said, “The girls stayed within the scope of their knowledge, skillfully implemented and developed a very elegant experiment. The wealth of detail and accuracy is exemplary...”
|
|
The River Mile Website News
|
|
|
|
Join the Community
Visit
therivermile.org
, click on "joinTRM" and complete the network registration form.
Community Groups
Once you log in you can request membership in community groups. Don't see a group you think would be valuable? Send the suggestion to the webmaster.
A Work in Progress
In the coming weeks and months, we will continue updating the website to include new maps, apps, and content related to all of the wonderful projects schools are conducting with their outdoor classrooms.
New Features
- Crayfish blog, written by the remarkable students at Columbia School in Hunters, WA
- Newly designed online library
- Ability to view and submit events to the event calendar
Seeking Feedback!
There are feedback buttons on the web pages for you to submit suggestions for content and organization ideas; and a form to submit documents, websites, PowerPoints, videos and other resources to the online library.
|
|
Name | Company | Phone | Fax | Email | Website
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
