Workshops

Inquiring Minds: Itasca Field Biology Bootcamp For Teachers
For teachers grades K-6
July 5 through 15, 2010
Cost: Free

If you love the north woods of Minnesota and would like to gain experience in hands-on, inquiry biology with university researchers, this 10-day workshop at Lake Itasca State Park is for you. Located on the banks of the Mississippi River and surrounded by 32,000 acres of forest and wetlands, Inquiring Minds offers an invigorating venue for education, research and recreation. University scientists with experise in plants, birds, insects, lichens and fish cover the basics in lecture and discussion, then move into the field for identification and data-based projects. The workshop offers two CEE credits and free room and board at the University of Minnesota Itasca Biological Station and Laboratories. Classroom, lab and field materials are included.

For more information, call Erin Rupp at 612-624-8245 or e-mail ruppx046@umn.edu.

Bell Learning Kits
Rental period: 1 week (7 days)
Cost: $70 plus shipping if applicable ($30)
Grade: 3-7

BWCA in a Box
Engaging lessons and activities introduce students to the history, science, and social science of one of Minnesota's most treasured resources. The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness Kit is an interactive, hands-on curriculum that includes a video, games, and maps.

The World of the Wolf
Satisfy students' natural curiosity about one of Minnesota's most intriguing inhabitants: the gray wolf. The kit encourages investigation into gray wolf anatomy, communication, habitat, and diet, and as well as discussion of wolf-related environmental and conservation issues. Developed in partnership with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

The Enigmatic Loon
Students will become amateur experts on this enigmatic Minnesota icon, known for its haunting call and unusual red eyes. While loons can't walk on land, baby looks are excellent swimmers and divers from birth-though they also like to hitch a ride on their mother or father's back. This in-depth study of loons and their habits was developed in partnership with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

The Big Dig-Archaeology and Paleontology
Draw connections for your students between the discovery-rich disciplines of archeology and paleontology. Identify fossils and artifacts (included), make a mold and cast, and recreate an archeological dig.

Myth-busting Amphibians and Reptiles
Challenge your students' assumptions about some of earth's most misunderstood creatures. Find out if snakes really are slimy and whether tadpoles, frogs, and toads are actually the same animal.

Bats-Superstars of the Night
Learn to appreciate bats as highly developed creatures with amazing physical capabilities. Discover how bats "see" in the dark using sound waves. Compare a bat wing to the human arm and hand, and see how your "wingspan" measures up against the world's largest bat's. Developed by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

For more information, call Erin Rupp at 612-624-8245 or e-mail ruppx046@umn.edu.

Curriculum

Minnesota: A History of the Land
Cost: $39.95
See details at http://www.historyoftheland.org/ordering.htm
The widely acclaimed documentary, Minnesota: A History of the Land, is a five-part, Emmy Award-winning TV series that brings to life the epic story of the people and landscapes of Minnesota, from the retreat of the last ice sheets to the growth of today's suburbs. A customized curriculum is available for middle school science, history or social studies teachers.

Bell LIVE!
Cost: $39.95
Take your class on location via electronic field trip with researchers and scientists engaged in environmental science. By providing positive role models and a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the North American ecosystems, Bell LIVE! motivates students to learn more about the environment and to consider science as a career. Each Bell LIVE! package contains a two hour electronic field trip experience, as well as curriculum and questions filled with hands-on activities and interactive components. Titles include: Nature in the City; The Great Lakes; On the Prairie; Aquatic Adventure; Fire and the Forest; A World of Wolves; and Raptors LIVE!

For more information, call Erin Rupp at 612-624-8245 or e-mail ruppx046@umn.edu.

Artifact Loans
Rental period: Borrow up to eight items for seven consecutive days or one item for three weeks.
Cost: $40

Bring your classrooms to life with real museum artifacts and specimens from the Bell Museum's educational collections. Included are materials from many Minnesota animals, including deer, beaver, raccoon, and others. Specimens include bird study skins, mammal study skins, animal bones and skulls, fossils, rocks, shells, antlers, and horns. Materials are appropriate for all grades and ages. Borrow up to eight items for seven consecutive days or one item for three weeks.

For rental details, call 612-626-7133 or e-mail Jennifer.Menken@bellmuseum.org.

Teacher Resource Center
Open Tuesday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Cost: Free

The Bell Museum Teacher Resource Center is designed to meet the needs of educators by providing answers, specialized information, and referral in area of biological sciences. A non-circulating library rich with resources, the center is run by knowledgeable staff trained in education and the biological sciences. Consider it a first stop when planning lessons, conducting research, or seeking fresh ideas and techniques. Educators are welcome during museum hours or by special appointment.

For more information, call Erin Rupp at 612-624-8245 or e-mail ruppx046@umn.edu.