Field Investigations at CCESR

Student groups visiting Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve engage in a variety of activities ranging from tours of various ecosystems and research sites to investigations illuminating basic ecological concepts. Students are not simply passive observers, but are encouraged to actively “do science” and grapple with the potentially complex concepts of ecology.

Program lengths vary from half-day (2-hours) to full-day (4 hours) and can include a combination of tours and field investigations.

Tours:

The core of CCESR is research and no visit is complete without experiencing our two main study sites, Biodiversity and BioCON.
Other tour options are available upon request.

Field Investigations:

Field investigations at CCESR are aimed at students in grades 5-12. All contain an investigation, analysis of data and discussion as a lens to discover basic ecology concepts. Examples include:

• Fish Lake Nature Trail Observations - Students collect simple abiotic data and observations in three ecosystems along this 1.5 mile trail to investigate how physical factors influence distribution of organisms.
• Preserving the Bur Oak Savanna - Students use a transect to investigate the effects of prescribed burning regimes on savanna plant populations.
• Insect Diversity - Students use sweep nets to collect insects to investigate the differences in insect populations between different habitats.

Downloads

Pre Trip Power Point Overview

To schedule a class, please contact:
Mary Spivey
Education Coordinator
763-434-5131
Spive007@umn.edu
Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve
2660 Fawn Lake Drive
East Bethel, MN  55005