Investigating Science Outdoors

Investigating Science Outdoors engages students in authentic explorations of a study site—a small piece of land near their school. It is a supplementary science curriculum, targeted for grades 7-9 and is appropriate for afterschool and camp programs, as well as in-school use. The curriculum consists of two chapters. Each chapter consists of six activities, which take 1-2 class periods.

Chapter 1: Study Site — Students select, observe, map, document, and otherwise begin investigating a study site.
Chapter 2: Systematic Sampling — Students systematically investigate their study site, conducting more detailed observations, collecting samples and gathering data, identifying the flora and fauna observed, and share investigation results via the Web.

The Investigating Science Outdoors eBook was developed by TERC. It is based on a full-year curriculum, Global Lab, also developed by TERC and funded in part by a grant from the National Science Foundation.

Resources: App Recommendations

Throughout Investigating Science Outdoors, you may be using a variety of apps as part of your investigations.

We encourage you to use whichever apps best fit you and your situation. For example, if there’s a notetaking or video editing app that you are familiar and comfortable with, go ahead and use it. We also encourage you to search the store. And of course, there are many free, basic, or even built-in apps.

The apps listed here are simply recommendations. Note that some of them cost money and/or have in-app purchasing options, and others may include ads.

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Journaling, Notetaking, and Drawing/Sketching Apps
There are free, basic notetaking and drawing tools, which can be used. We also encourage the use of physical pen and paper, even a bound journal.

Evernote
Penultimate
Skitch
NoteBook+ Free
Moleskine Journal
Note Taker HD (for iPad)
Notability
Notes Plus by Viet Tran
Educreations Interactive Whiteboard
ShowMe Interactive Whiteboard

Compass Apps

Compass^o by Tim O’s Studios
Free HD Compass

Photography Apps

Built-in Camera app
Photography options within many notetaking and drawing apps, including Moleskine, Evernote, Penultimate, and Notes Plus.
Crop for Free

Audio Recording Apps

Audio recording options with many notetaking and organizing apps, including Evernote, Notes Plus, and Notability

iTalk Recorder
Smart Recorder

Video Apps

Editing of videos should be kept to a minimum, but sometimes it is important to trim a video, clip out a section, or change the audio.

Built-in Camera app
Video Edit
Lapse It — time-elapse video

Plant Apps

Many online sites provide useful information on identifying plants, so don’t neglect the browser if you have Internet access.

Leafsnap for iPad — An app that uses the iPad’s camera to help you identify a plant by its leaves
Audubon — Guides, Trees, Wildflowers, Mushrooms, etc. — Search for Audobon and check out the variety of offerings

Animal Apps

Many online sites provide useful information on identifying animals, so don’t neglect the browser if you have Internet access.

Audubon (Guides, Birds, Insects, Reptiles, Mammals, etc.) — Search for Audobon and check out the variety of offerings
iBird — The Pro version is great, but pricey; there are somewhat less expensive ones appropriate to different regions.
National Geographic Birds
Wildlab Bird