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More Information CLOSEXIntroduction to Doing Science Outdoors
Field Investigations at the Glacier Creek Preserve

Glacier Creek Preserve is a large, local Tallgrass Prairie preserve with enough space and diversity to provide a variety of outdoor science activities to teach K-12 students about our natural history. The preserve provides indoor facilities including classroom space, a field lab, and restrooms which support field learning activities.
Glacier Creek Preserve Curriculum
These curriculum activities focus on engaging students in STEM disciplines (science, technology, mathematics, and engineering), while using technology as a tool for conducting science and mathematics investigations at the Preserve with connections to engineering.
Through observations and collecting data at the Preserve, students learn about the plants and animals that make up the Tallgrass Prairie and important factors essential to Tallgrass Prairie health such as prairie fire, large-animal grazers, and climate.
Lesson modules address these topics related to the prairie ecosystems:
- Prairie ecology
- Prairie soils
- Prairie creek water quality
Lessons topics and activities are geared to four learning levels:
- Level 1: Lower Elementary (K-2)
- Level 2: Upper Elementary (3-5)
- Level 3: Middle School (6-8)
- Level 4: High School (9-12)
The Glacier Creek Preserve curriculum is a dynamic project and new modules will continually be added as they are made available. The Glacier Creek Preserve curriculum modules engage students in authentic scientific inquiry-based activities while teaching Nebraska State Standards and the National Next Generation Science Standards.
Lesson Modules
Introduction and Standards
Part I - Prairie Ecology
Level 1 Lower Elementary (K-2)
Observation while on a walk though the prairie
Level 2 Upper Elementary (3-5)
Collect and identify insects
Level 3 Middle School (6-8)
Research, collect, and study grasshoppers
Level 4 High School (9-12)
Observe life forms and the effects of prairie fire
Part II - Soil of the Prairie
Level 1 Lower Elementary (K-2)
Investigate the prairie soil for macro-invertebrates
Level 2 Upper Elementary (3-5)
Examine the prairie soil for organisms
Level 3 Middle School (6-8)
Introduction to Soil and How to Investigate Soil
Part III - Water Quality of Glacier Creek
Level 3 Middle School (6-8)
Test for a biological parameter of a creek
Level 4 High School (9-12)
Test for the biological, chemical, and physical parameters of a creek