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Natural Resources

Cave and Geology Trunk and Curriculum Guide

This trunk is designed for classroom use and can be used in conjunction with a field trip to Lewis and Clark Caverns. The trunk includes two videos, books, hardhat, carbide lamp, climbing gear, rock samples, speleothems, poster, and a cave mapping game. A curriculum is included.

Grade level: K-12

Contact: Lynette Kemp, Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park, PO Box 489, Whitehall, MT 59759, (406) 287-3541, kempcaverns@in-touch.com

Cost: Return postage

Clark Fork/Pend Oreille Watershed Kit

This trunk offers a glimpse into our local watershed. Take an imaginary journey using a hand-painted floor map and wooden figurines to tell the stories of historical characters whose lives were dependent on water. Curriculum and multimedia materials addressing watershed issues are included. Themes covered are the water cycle, water quality, bull trout, aquatic life, and human impacts.

Grade level: 3-6

Contact: Lisa Bickell, Montana Natural History Center, 120 Hickory St., Missoula, MT 59801, (406) 327-0405, youthcoordinator@montananaturalist.org

Cost: $25 for 2 weeks, or $35 for 3 weeks, plus shipping (approximately $40) if necessary; can pick up trunk at MNHC Tuesday-Friday 10AM-5PM; limited scholarships available to help with rental and/or shipping

Enviroscape Model

The Enviroscape is a three-dimensional model for demonstrating a variety of water and watershed concepts. A Users Guide provides background information, set-up instructions, specifics activities to demonstrate pollution sources and best management practices. The unit includes: a colorful molded landscape top emphasizing non-point source pollution, trees, cars, buildings, pollution buffers and simulated pollutants. A Economics curriculum incorporating social components such as property rights, cost / benefit analysis is also available upon request for middle and high school educators.

Grade: K-8 (+7-12)

Contact: Project WET Montana, 201 Culbertson Hall, MSU, Bozeman, MT 59717, (406) 994-6425

Cost: $20 plus shipping

Fireworks

Hands-on learning about fire ecology. Themes include: wildfire behavior, forest change, plant and animal adaptations to fire and management of wildland fires. Included are a curriculum guide, tree cookies, posters, games, puzzles, books, slide show, videos, and everything you need to experiment with fire (plus a fire extinguisher!). For more information, take a look at the fire lab's website about the fireworks trunk.

Grade level: 1-9

Contact: Lisa Bickell, Montana Natural History Center, 120 Hickory St., Missoula, MT 59801, (406) 327-0405, youthcoordinator@montananaturalist.org

Cost: $25 for 2 weeks, or $35 for 3 weeks; can pick up trunk at MNHC Tuesday-Friday 10AM-5PM; limited scholarships available to help with rental.
* Cannot be shipped due to weight.

Forest Stewardship

Created by Swan Ecosystem Center in Condon, MT, this trunk is a powerful tool to get students outside using the tools of the trade in forest stewardship. Equipment, art, research materials, forester's tools, lesson plans, and more help support your forest and science curriculum.

Grade level: 5-12

Contact: Lisa Bickell, Montana Natural History Center, 120 Hickory St., Missoula, MT 59801, (406) 327-0405, youthcoordinator@montananaturalist.org

Cost: $25 for 2 weeks, or $35 for 3 weeks, plus shipping (approximately $40) if necessary; can pick up trunk at MNHC Tuesday-Friday 10AM-5PM; limited scholarships available to help with rental and/or shipping

Forestry Box

This box is designed for use in conjunction with an interpretive trail in the Wenatchee National Forest in Washington state. It includes a teacher script, student study questions, and hands-on activities that teach about disease, forest succession, habitat, geology and topography of Washington. A three-part slide show examines forest ecosystems, forest disturbances and land management issues. Through pre- and post work activities, students examine management scenarios, learn debating skills and implement community service projects.

Grade level: 6th grade and up

Contact: Susan Thomas, Environmental Education Coordinator, Wenatchee National Forest, 600 Sherbourne, Leavenworth, WA 98826, (509)782-1413

Cost: None, but not able to ship boxes

Fungal Jungal

Developed by the Western Montana Mycological Association, this mushroom educational trunk includes an amazing slide show highlighting various species of mushrooms, collection trunks for the classroom, identification posters, videos, dried mushroom specimens, and a teacher's guide full of activities and flashcards.

Grade level: 5-8

Contact: Lisa Bickell, Montana Natural History Center, 120 Hickory St., Missoula, MT 59801, (406) 327-0405, youthcoordinator@montananaturalist.org

Cost: $25 for 2 weeks, or $35 for 3 weeks, plus shipping (approximately $40) if necessary; can pick up trunk at MNHC Tuesday-Friday 10AM-5PM; limited scholarships available to help with rental and/or shipping

Glacial Lake Missoula

This trunk provides everything necessary to conduct a detailed investigation of the dramatic ice-age floods that shaped our landscape over 12,000 years ago. Full of lessons, maps, pictures, and extension activities your students won't be able to get enough! A great geology source and an amazing natural history detective story with evidence in our own backyard.

Grade level: 6-9

Contact: Lisa Bickell, Montana Natural History Center, 120 Hickory St., Missoula, MT 59801, (406) 327-0405, youthcoordinator@montananaturalist.org

Cost: $25 for 2 weeks, or $35 for 3 weeks, plus shipping (approximately $40) if necessary; can pick up trunk at MNHC Tuesday-Friday 10AM-5PM; limited scholarships available to help with rental and/or shipping

Groundwater Flow Model

Groundwater Flow Models (GWFM) are used to demonstrate groundwater movement principles. A model, constructed with a clear Plexiglas front, allows observers to watch how ground-water moves and is affected by wells, sediment layers, etc. GWFM's demonstrate two aquifer types: an unconfined aquifer of white sand just below the surface, and a confined aquifer at the bottom of the model. Dyes are used to show water movement patterns and as tracers showing contaminated water migration. Comes with model, user's manual, video, activity guide, and reference books. Teachers, 4-H leaders, adult education, civic planning meetings, and resource professionals can benefit by using GWFM's.

Grade level: K-12 and adults

Contact: Project WET Montana, 201 Culbertson Hall, MSU, Bozeman, MT 59717, (406) 994-6425. Also try your local Conservation District and Community or Tribal College.

Cost: $20.00 plus shipping from Project WET

Healthy Air, Healthy Communities

Air pollution in the intermountain west is the focus of this unit, empowering learners to protect our precious air quality. Hands-on activities integrate the subject areas of science, mathematics, health, social studies, and language arts. Includes an experiment trunk for creating miniature inversion layers, puppets, posters, books and a curriculum guide.

Grade level: 3-5

Contact: Lisa Bickell, Montana Natural History Center, 120 Hickory St., Missoula, MT 59801, (406) 327-0405, youthcoordinator@montananaturalist.org

Cost: $25 for 2 weeks, or $35 for 3 weeks, plus shipping (approximately $40) if necessary; can pick up trunk at MNHC Tuesday-Friday 10AM-5PM; limited scholarships available to help with rental and/or shipping

Liquid Treasure History Trunk

Everything needed to conduct a one-week study of Montana's water history is included in this trunk. Historic artifacts, photographs of water history topics, historical documents and film footage, and a teacher's guide are included. The lesson suggestions are useful in language arts, math, history, and science classes.

Grade level: K-12 and adults

Contact: Project WET Montana, 201 Culbertson Hall, MSU, Bozeman, MT 59717, (406) 994-6425

Cost: $20.00 plus shipping

Living With Winter

This trunk is designed to supplement ecological studies with the opportunity to think about complex relationships and systems. Concepts such as snow metamorphosis, animal and plant adaptations, and energy transfer are examined through the inquiry-based, experiential activities. The trunk includes posters, pelts, books, videos, and games.

Grade level: 5-8

Contact: Lisa Bickell, Montana Natural History Center, 120 Hickory St., Missoula, MT 59801, (406) 327-0405, youthcoordinator@montananaturalist.org

Cost: $25 for 2 weeks, or $35 for 3 weeks, plus shipping (approximately $40) if necessary; can pick up trunk at MNHC Tuesday-Friday 10AM-5PM; limited scholarships available to help with rental and/or shipping

Mount Jumbo

Two-to-four week thematic unit that involves students in a hands-on exploration of the geologic and human history of this Missoula landmark. Specific plant and animal relationships are also covered. A slide show, books, transparencies, field guides, posters, and biological specimens are all included.

Grade level: 3-5

Contact: Lisa Bickell, Montana Natural History Center, 120 Hickory St., Missoula, MT 59801, (406) 327-0405, youthcoordinator@montananaturalist.org

Cost: $25 for 2 weeks, or $35 for 3 weeks, plus shipping (approximately $40) if necessary; can pick up trunk at MNHC Tuesday-Friday 10AM-5PM; limited scholarships available to help with rental and/or shipping

Native Plants

Learn the magic of Montana's native plants! Created by the Montana Native Plant Society, this trunk is rich in materials, field guides, curriculum, and visual aids to identify plants native to this Rocky Mountain Palouse prairie region.

Grade level: 3-8

Contact: Lisa Bickell, Montana Natural History Center, 120 Hickory St., Missoula, MT 59801, (406) 327-0405, youthcoordinator@montananaturalist.org

Cost: $25 for 2 weeks, or $35 for 3 weeks, plus shipping (approximately $40) if necessary; can pick up trunk at MNHC Tuesday-Friday 10AM-5PM; limited scholarships available to help with rental and/or shipping

Pollution Prevention Trunk

This new trunk provides educators of children and adults hands-on ways to prevent pollution through easy, everyday actions. The focus will be on non-point source pollution such as household cleaners, lawn-care, and disposal of motor oil and other common toxins. It will contain natural cleaners for everyday use as an alternative to chemical based cleaners. Community projects such as storm-drain painting will also be enclosed. Project WET is currently seeking field-testers for this trunk (rental fee would be waived).

Grade level: K-12 and adults

Contact: Project WET Montana, 201 Culbertson Hall, MSU, Bozeman, MT 59717, (406) 994-6425

Cost: $20.00 plus shipping

Pond Life

This well-known Project WET resource has everything you need to bring the wonders of ponds and wetlands to your students, including books, slides, posters, flannel board, games, viewing tank, hands-on activities, and curriculum guides.

Grade level: Pre-school - 4

Contact: Lisa Bickell, Montana Natural History Center, 120 Hickory St., Missoula, MT 59801, (406) 327-0405, youthcoordinator@montananaturalist.org

Cost: $25 for 2 weeks, or $35 for 3 weeks, plus shipping (approximately $40) if necessary; can pick up trunk at MNHC Tuesday-Friday 10AM-5PM; limited scholarships available to help with rental and/or shipping

Contact: Project WET Montana, 201 Culbertson Hall, MSU, Bozeman, MT 59717, (406) 994-6425

Cost: $25.00 plus shipping

Prairie Ecosystem

Lying in the shadow of the Rockies, the prairies comprise nearly one third of the continent. Discover this unique ecosystem and the many creatures that depend on the grassland habitats. The trunk contains curriculum materials, books, videos, prints, and hides.

Grade level: K-12

Contact: Lisa Bickell, Montana Natural History Center, 120 Hickory St., Missoula, MT 59801, (406) 327-0405, youthcoordinator@montananaturalist.org

Cost: $25 for 2 weeks, or $35 for 3 weeks, plus shipping (approximately $40) if necessary; can pick up trunk at MNHC Tuesday-Friday 10AM-5PM; limited scholarships available to help with rental and/or shipping

Stream Ecology Trunks—Elementary and Secondary

These trunks are designed for educators to use in the field when studying water quality and monitoring on ponds and streams. They contain magnifying glasses, pH paper, macroinvertebrate guides and collection tools, stopwatches and instruments to measure stream flow. The secondary kit also includes a HACH Surface Waters Chemical Test Kit and pocket calculators.

Grade level: Elementary Kit: K-6; Secondary Kit: 7-16 and adult education groups

Contact: Project WET Montana, 201 Culbertson Hall, MSU, Bozeman, MT 59717, (406) 994-6425

Cost: $20.00 plus shipping

Tree Trunks

These trunks promote a better understanding of trees and forest communities. Contents include audio tapes, books, activities, a board game, videos, posters, and guides for tree identification.

Grade level: K-9

Contact: See Part III (page 12) for locations

Cost: Cost of return shipping

Upper Clark Fork Science Trunk

This trunk contains a multi-media CD on the Upper Clark Fork basin developed by Montana Tech’s Technical Communications. The Summer Ride, an original by Peggy Schmidt, ties the seven science lessons into a cohesive package. All materials for the science lessons are included in the trunk.

Grade Level: 4-8

Contact: Project WET Montana, 201 Culbertson Hall, MSU, Bozeman, MT 59717, (406) 994-6425

Cost: $25.00 plus shipping

Upper Clark Fork Social Studies Trunk

This trunk contains historical photos, literature resources, videos, CD’s, DVD’s and lesson plans. Designed to change as the Clark Fork basin clean up efforts continue, users are invited to add to the contents of the trunk. This trunks also contains a multi-media CD on the Upper Clark Fork basin developed by Montana Tech’s Technical Communications and The Summer Ride by Peggy Schmidt.

Grade Level: 6 – 12

Contact: Project WET Montana, 201 Culbertson Hall, MSU, Bozeman, MT 59717, (406) 994-6425

Cost: $25.00 plus shipping

Water and Bug Box

This box includes a curriculum guide, books, posters, videos, relief maps, waders, kick nets, water quality testing kits, all focusing on "what is a watershed?"

Grade level: K-12

Contact: Susan Thomas, Environmental Education Coordinator, Wenatchee National Forest, 600 Sherbourne, Leavenworth, WA 98826, (509)782-1413

Cost: None, but not able to ship boxes

Water Literature Trunk

This trunk contains books, books, and more books! Inside are books on the following themes: the water cycle, rivers and streams, lakes and ponds, pollution and the environment, Native Americans, and the history of water. The trunk is too heavy to ship all of the books. You decide which sets of books you need; we’ll send the one’s you request. Contact Montana Watercourse for a complete list of books, or view the list on our website: http://www.mtwatercourse.org/Educators/trunks.htm

Grade Level: K-5

Contact: Project WET Montana, 201 Culbertson Hall, MSU, Bozeman, MT 59717, (406) 994-6425

Cost: $20 plus shipping

Wetlands

Wetlands are an excellent tool for teaching basic science concepts and a great introduction to the outdoor classroom. Curriculum guide include.

Grade level: 3-6

Contact: Lisa Bickell, Montana Natural History Center, 120 Hickory St., Missoula, MT 59801, (406) 327-0405, youthcoordinator@montananaturalist.org

Cost: $25 for 2 weeks, or $35 for 3 weeks, plus shipping (approximately $40) if necessary; can pick up trunk at MNHC Tuesday-Friday 10AM-5PM; limited scholarships available to help with rental and/or shipping

Wilderness and Land Awareness Box and Curriculum

This box contains interdisciplinary lessons, activities, and teaching tools. The goal of the box and curriculum is to provide classroom teachers, land managers, and outdoor educators with an interactive resource to promote awareness, understanding, and appreciation of the cultural, environmental, and experiential values of our natural resources.

Grade level: K-8

Contact: Liz Close, U.S. Forest Service, Northern Region Regional Office, 200 E. Broadway, PO Box 7669, Missoula, MT 59807, (406) 329-3587

Cost: Return shipping via UPS or U.S. Mail