Center for Earth and Environmental Science
Indiana University ~ Purdue University, Indianapolis

IUPUI
School of Science
Department of Earth Sciences

Prairie Research Programs currently offered in Prairie Research include: Prairie Soil Study Prairie Ecosystem Investigation and Comparison Plant Biodiversity and Photosynthesis - NEW Fall 2008!! Bird Observations Prairie Soil Study Description:  Utilizing both technology interface and observation skills, students collect and analyze data to draw conclusions about the quality and type of prairie soil at their site.  Soil investigations include analysis of soil texture, moisture, temperature, infiltration rates, color and structure of prairie plant roots.  Students use Vernier LabQuest scientific handhelds, soil temperature and moisture sensors, soil core samples, and soil texture and color charts. Length of Program:  Two visits per participating class. First visit (classroom) will be introductory, occur either inside or outside, with or without trailer, for a typical class period.  Second visit (trailer) will follow program description, occur outside, with trailer and equipment for 1.5-2 hours.  For ease of programming, classroom visit should occur the day before the trailer visit. If school schedule allows, the program can be one day, 3 hours. Program Availability:  September 2, 2008 – November 28, 2008 and March 30, 2009 – June 12, 2009. Site Requirements:  Access to prairie ecosystem or grassland Cost:  None.  All equipment, teaching materials, and technology are provide free of charge. Indiana Academic Standard and Environmental Education Guideline Alignments: Indiana Academic Standards for Science and Math Excellence in Environmental Education - Guidelines for Learning (Pre K - 12) To schedule a program or receive more information, please contact Brooke Furge, Education Specialist. Top Prairie Ecosystem Investigation and Comparison Description:  Students investigate the concept of biodiversity by conducting scientific ecosystem investigations in two different environments.  Data collection and measurements for each ecosystem include:  date, time of day, weather conditions, wind speed, air temperature, soil temperature, water temperature, infiltration rates, soil sample, plant transect, and animal observations.  Different methods of data collection – scientific handhelds and sensors, personal observations, and experimentation – are used throughout.  Collected data is analyzed and conclusions drawn about overall biodiversity of the ecosystem. Length of Program:  Two visits per participating class. First visit (classroom) will be introductory, occur either inside or outside, with or without trailer, for a typical class period.  Second visit (trailer) will follow program description, occur outside, with trailer and equipment for 1.5-2 hours.  For ease of programming, classroom visit should occur the day before the trailer visit. If school schedule allows, the program can be one day, 3 hours. Program Availability:  September 2, 2008 – November 28, 2008 and March 30, 2009 – June 12, 2009. Site Requirements:  Access to prairie ecosystem or grassland Cost:  None.  All equipment, teaching materials, and technology are provide free of charge. Indiana Academic Standard and Environmental Education Guideline Alignments: Indiana Academic Standards for Science and Math Excellence in Environmental Education - Guidelines for Learning (Pre K - 12) To schedule a program or receive more information, please contact Brooke Furge, Education Specialist. Top Plant Biodiversity and Photosynthesis Description:  Is there a correlation between prairie plant size and photosynthesis?  Students investigate this question through guided scientific inquiry, hypothesis formulation, experimentation and analysis of results.  Using dichotomous keys, students identify prairie plants of varying types and measure/note plant height, plant diameter, leaf shape, leaf structure, blooms, etc.  Using Vernier LabQuest handhelds and O2 sensors, students measure the rate at which these plants release O2 during photosynthesis.   Students compile and share their results, formulate an answer to the question and draw conclusions. Length of Program:  Two visits per participating class. First visit (classroom) will be introductory, occur either inside or outside, with or without trailer, for a typical class period.  Second visit (trailer) will follow program description, occur outside, with trailer and equipment for 1.5-2 hours.  For ease of programming, classroom visit should occur the day before the trailer visit. If school schedule allows, the program can be one day, 3 hours. Program Availability:  September 2, 2008 – November 28, 2008 and March 30, 2009 – June 12, 2009. Site Requirements:  Access to prairie ecosystem or grassland Cost:  None.  All equipment, teaching materials, and technology are provide free of charge.  Indiana Academic Standard and Environmental Education Guideline Alignments: Indiana Academic Standards for Science and Math Excellence in Environmental Education - Guidelines for Learning (Pre K - 12) To schedule a program or receive more information, please contact Brooke Furge, Education Specialist. Top Brooke Furge Education Specialist IUPUI Center for Earth and Environmental Science 723 West Michigan Street, SL 118 Indianapolis, IN  46202 bfurge@iupui.edu

We are pleased to announce that Veolia Water Indianapolis has made the lead philanthropic gift to this program. We have also received significant funding support from the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust, Eli Lilly and Company Foundation, Dow AgroSciences, Duke Energy, Hoover Family Foundation and Indianapolis Power & Light Company with proposals currently in review by additional foundations and corporations. For more information about the program and opportunities for program sponsorship, please contact us.

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Center for Earth and Environmental Science
 School of Science
 Indiana University~Purdue University, Indianapolis
 723 West Michigan Street, SL118
 Indianapolis, IN 46202
 www.cees.iupui.edu
 cees@iupui.edu