SEE-North’s residential programs are a wonderful way for students and teachers to immerse themselves in environmental education, away from the classroom. For two or three days, SEE-North staff lead explorations into the plants, animals and habitats of northern Michigan.
Depending on the season, students may be studying leaf chromatography, examining different animal skulls and pelts, or drilling holes in the ice on Walloon Lake to look for aquatic microorganisms. Through these activities, students learn about some of the exciting careers today in the environmental sciences.
To learn more about the residential program opportunities, read the following activity descriptions. If you have any questions or would like to register your class, please contact Jane Mooradian at SEE-North (231-348-9700 or jane@seenorth.org).
Aquatic Studies - Students explore the aquatic habitat of Walloon Lake and Peeper Pond. Using thermometers, pH kits, meter sticks and plankton tow nets, the group collects data from their site. Back indoors, students identify plankton and other critters under microscopes, and the collected data is reviewed and analyzed.
Bird Studies - Students spend some time identifying and observing birds and bird behavior. They begin by examining some of the physical characteristics of birds. Then they use bird behavior keys, identify how such behaviors are linked to bird survival, and calculate the amount of energy necessary for a bird to survive.
Cooperative Group Challenge Games - Students are challenged to utilize their creativity, to effectively communicate, and to rely on teamwork to overcome different challenges posed to the group. A few of the possible challenges include: untangling from the human knot; pairing up with a partner for a blind trust walk; and crossing a river full of lava using only a few props.
Exploration Hikes - Students explore the swamp and forest, and visit areas to which they are drawn. This activity provides a framework for students to explore their connections to places they feel are special. Student teams explore and experience nature using activities including Stories from the Land, Woods Walking, Search and Find, Treasure Hunts, Silent Sits, Back to Back Drawing, or Way Finding.
Forest and Field - Students complete a detailed exploration of both a forested landscape and a field. They collect data in both habitats for a variety of elements including weather conditions and soil, and biotic elements like fungi, insects, and plants. Students then compare the findings from each habitat and form conclusions about the features they have examined.
Orienteering - Students learn about the parts of the compass, and how to use it. Properties of magnetism and the Earth's magnetic field are discussed. Students put their knowledge to use through a series of practice drills. From there, the group is challenged on an orienteering course through the forest. Each checkpoint along the course is associated with a special natural feature.
Soil Studies - Students debate the differences between soil and dirt. They discover the differences in the soils of several habitats by analyzing soil samples taken with a soil probe, collecting samples for weighing, using soil chemistry test kits, and their skills in observation.
Survival Skills - Students will learn the four basic components of keeping safe in a survival situation: shelter, water, fire, food. They will practice building shelters, finding and purifying water, starting fires with limited materials, and identifying wild edibles.
Tree Studies - Students explore the forests of the area. They learn to identify local trees using a dichotomous tree identification key. They estimate tree height, circumference, and diameter and then check the accuracy of their estimates with tape measures and a clinometer. In the fall, we also examine several different types of leaves, as an introduction to chromatography.
In addition, we have several indoor activites, which we would substitute in the event of inclement weather. These include:
Private Eye - Students have the opportunity to do some sleuthing. With the aid of loupes, students take a closer look at some natural and human-made objects. They perform a couple simple experiments to discover nature's axiom: form follows function. Throughout the session, students are developing analogies and metaphors for what they are viewing. These metaphors and analogies are then used by the students to create their own diamond poem.
Skins and Skulls - Students examine different animal pelts, and use a dichtomous key to determine their previous owners. Through a hands-on exploration of skulls and bones, students are introduced to the concepts of anatomy and animal adaptation. Similarities between our own skulls and those of a variety of animals are explored.
We have two options for night programs, at an additional cost of $2 a student. Please note, evening program activities are dependent upon weather conditions.
NorthWings Birds Presentation - This exciting program uses the power of a hands-on encounter with raptors to help your students learn. Northwings programs focus on interrelationships between living things, food webs, predator-prey relationships and animal adaptations to different habitats. (Please note: due to the cost of caring for and transporting these special birds, there is a $125 minimum charge for this program.)
Animal Myth Skits - Students listen to the origin story of the Sleeping Bear Dunes, and discuss the reasons that ancient peoples created stories to explain the natural world around them. Working in small groups, the students create their own skits to explain such pressing questions as: Why do raccoons have rings on their tails? Why do skunks smell so bad? And why do evergreen trees stay green all winter?
Winter Aquatic Studies - Students explore the winter aquatic habitat of Walloon Lake and Peeper Pond. To begin, students utilize simple machines to penetrate through the layers of ice. Using thermometers, pH kits, meter sticks and plankton tow nets, the group collects data from their site. Back indoors, students identify plankton and other critters under microscopes, and the collected data is reviewed and analyzed.
Cooperative Group Challenge Games - Students are challenged to use their creativity effective communication and teamwork to overcome different challenged posed to the group. A few of the possible challenges include: attempting to fit the group inside a single hula-hoop; untangling from a human knot; pairing up with a partner for a blind trust walk; and crossing a river full of lava, snowsnakes or crocodiles using only a few props.
Private Eye (indoor activity) - Students have the opportunity to do some sleuthing. With the aid of loupes, students take a closer look at some natural and human-made objects. They perform simple experiments to discover nature's axiom: form follows function. Throughout the session, students are developing analogies and metaphors for what they are viewing. These metaphors and analogies are then used by the students to create their own diamond poem.
Snow Science - Students analyze physical characteristics of snow such as crystal formation, depth of snow, and temperature of the snowpack. They also conduct experiments relating to snow weight and mass, snow density, and volume. If time allows, students measure the pH of the snow. To conclude, the group samples some delicious snow ice cream.
Snowshoeing - By far, the most popular activity among both students and adults. Participants are introduced to this unique means of transportation. Fundamental skills are covered and the group has plenty of time to practice. The history and physical science behind the shoes are highlighted. The students then put their newly gained knowledge and ability to the test on a snowshoe hike. While hiking, students observe and interpret wildlife tracks as well as discover some of the natural history of the animals that are active in the winter.
Animal Tracking - The winter landscape is frequently covered with animal tracks. Each set of tracks is a story waiting to be interpreted. Various means of identifying and differentiating between tracks are reviewed by the group. Students work together in pairs using dichotomous track identification keys to determine animals found at various scenes indoors. Next, more tracking is done outdoors in the snow (this activity is usually scheduled immediately before the Snowshoeing activity).
Winter Tree Studies - Students explore the forests of the area. They learn to identify local trees using a dichotomous tree identification key. They estimate tree height, circumference, and diameter and then check the accuracy of their estimates with tape measures and a clinometer.
We have several options for night programs, at an additional cost of $2 a student. Please note, evening program activities are dependent upon weather conditions.
NorthWings Birds Presentation - This exciting program uses the power of a hands-on encounter with raptors to help your students learn. NorthWings programs focus on interrelationships between living things, food webs, predator-prey relationships and animal adaptations to different habitats. (Please note: due to the cost of caring for and transporting these special birds, there is a $125 minimum charge for this program.)
Animal Myth Skits - Students listen to the origin story of the Sleeping Bear Dunes, and discuss the reasons that ancient peoples created stories to explain the natural world around them. Working in small groups, the students create their own skits to explain such pressing questions as: Why do raccoons have rings on their tails? Why do skunks smell so bad? And why do evergreen trees stay green all winter?
Wolf Howl - An all-time favorite! The group snuggles up next to the fireplace to listen to a brief description of wolf behavior and language. Groups of students then form their own wolf packs, fine-tune their wolf communication techniques, and head into the night. Once outdoors, each group is challenged to keep their pack together, avoid other traveling wolf packs, and successfully locate the howling Alpha wolf