Submitted by: Mary Stimac

Subject and grade Level: Science Projects-Grade 8

Overview: Using methods/skills introduced by Drs. Rogers and Tiller at a stream/pond/wilderness areas. (Spring Creek: High Pte. Road, Hancock) which has been the locus of various extensive studies by this class since fall 1997.

Purpose: to further the knowledge base we currently have of the designated area. Info currently includes about 1000 m which is mapped at a 50 cm ratio, 2 completed frog surveys each taken weekly 1 or 1.5 mths; two years of data with weekly H2O questions measurements.

Objectives: Students will begin to build a database of animals-notably mammals and birds in the area. This knowledge is sorely looking from our data (Our herp and athro data is quite extensive, though. Resources/Materials: Materials recommended by Drs. Rogers and Hill, others as necessary.

Activities and Procedures: In class prior: A) Teach/practice art of cast making using molded prints used to create a depression in damp sand. Plaster casts will then be take n of this imprint. B) Introduce method of IDing footprints using guides mentioned by presenters. Since all students in this class are quite familiar with use of filed guides this process will be easily learned. In Field: Students will be transported to watershed and search for prints since we make weekly trips beginning in mid-late March/early April (depending on weather) and lasting until end May, we will have ample time to search/locate tracks in time period of late winter/early spring. Students will be required to make cast, photograph area with hard scale. Student will ID print in field prior to making cast. In class after: Student will confirm animal ID. Student will research animal, prepare outline for oral report to all of class reporting: common/ sc. Names, habits and range, behavior, field marks of print and animal.

Tying it all together: This will provide to our school get more info to our ever-expanding amount regarding spring creek.

Assessment: Effort to locate, ID, cast print. Degree of info collected re: animal which inside the print. Quality of oral report: Style content ability to answer follow up questions.

Standards Addressed: Constructing new knowledge: determining active animals at Spring Creek watershed in late winter/early spring.

Investigate adaptations of those animals active then.

Analyze physiological differences between animals active in late winter vs. those active in mid/late summer by comparing types found using previously collected data.