Easy Activity Sheets and ID Guides for Outdoor Learning

Most of these activity sheets are intended for K-6 learners, though could be adapted for use with older students.

Activities for K-3rd grade learners:

• Intertidal Scavenger Hunt-Young Kids (Explore Bishops Beach during low tides-August 31st-September 4th and September 15th-20th)
• Short Marine Games & Activities
• Forest Bingo-Spruce Bark Beetle (try these out at the Wynn Nature Center!)
• Forest Bingo-Habitat Focus-(try these out at the Wynn Nature Center!)
• Forest Bingo-Plant Uses-(try these out at the Wynn Nature Center!)
• Tracking in Alaska-ID sheet-(Great after rainy days!)

Activities for 4th-8th grade learners:

• Edible & Medicinal Harvest Guidelines and Making Your Own Plant Guide
• Intertidal Scavenger Hunt(Explore Bishops Beach during low tides-August 31st-September 4th and September 15th-20th) 
• Bishops Beach intertidal id cards (Explore Bishops Beach during low tides-August 31st-September 4th and September 15th-20th)
• Short Marine Games & Activities
• Short Forest Games & Activities (Try these out up at the Wynn Nature Center!)
• Forest Bingo-Spruce Bark Beetle
• Forest Bingo-Habitat Focus
• Forest Bingo-Plant Uses
• Forest Excursion--Habitat Focus
• Forest Excursion-Plant Uses
• Forest Excursion-Spruce Bark Beetle
• Forest Scavenger Hunt-Habitat Focus
• Forest Scavenger Hunt-Plant Uses
• Forest Scavenger Hunt-Spruce Bark Beetle Focus
• Bio-Rings Activity - For this activity, create a wire ring approximately 2 feet in diameter, a 1 foot by 1 foot square out of PVC pipes, or use a hula hoop!
• Wilderness ER and Medicinal Plants-Matching Activity-For this activity, have students match the relevant medicinal plant(s) with the wilderness ER scenario.  If possible, go outside to search for the plants or collect small samples. 
• Macroinvertebrates-Forests and Freshwater - This activity is best done in late spring, summer, or fall.  Use small fish-tank nets to scoop macroinvertebrates from freshwater. Collect samples of soil and organic matter from the forest floor. If you place these samples in a funnel (or plastic bottle cut in half, with the lid off) and shine a light at the top of the sample for a few hours the macroinvertebrates will tend to crawl out the bottom of the funnel.  Put a jar there to collect them.  Don't forget to check the funnel regularly, since being under the light for a long time can stress the macroinvertebrates, and treat the macroinvertebrates with respect!  Return the macroinvertebrates and samples to where you collected them when you are finished.
• Tracking in Alaska-ID sheets (Great after rainy days!)

Activities for High School Audiences:

• Intertidal Scavenger Hunt (Explore Bishops Beach during low tides-August 31st-September 4th and September 15th-20th)
• Wilderness ER and Medicinal Plants-Matching Activity-For this activity, have students match the relevant medicinal plant(s) with the wilderness ER scenario.  If possible, go outside to search for the plants or collect small samples.  
• Macroinvertebrates-Forests and Freshwater - This activity is best done in late spring, summer, or fall.  Use small fish-tank nets to scoop macroinvertebrates from freshwater. Collect samples of soil and organic matter from the forest floor. If you place these samples in a funnel (or plastic bottle cut in half, with the lid off) and shine a light at the top of the sample for a few hours the macroinvertebrates will tend to crawl out the bottom of the funnel.  Put a jar there to collect them.  Don't forget to check the funnel regularly, since being under the light for a long time can stress the macroinvertebrates, and treat the macroinvertebrates with respect!  Return the macroinvertebrates and samples to where you collected them when you are finished.

Guides and Additional Resources:

• High Seas Drifters:  A Guide to Marine Plankton - a guide to common Zooplankton and Phytoplankton of Kachemak Bay- KBNERR
• Marine Phytoplankton of Kachemak Bay - a more detailed plankton guide focusing exclusively on phytoplankton - KBNERR
• Plankton Coloring Book - a coloring book focusing on species seen in Kachemak Bay - KBNERR
• Soda Bottle Plankton Net - instructions on how to build your own plankton net using household items. - Sea Grant