Across the river and into the trees: Engaging rural K-8 students through ecological research

Graduate Fellows at Montana State University, supported by The Big Sky Institute NSF GK-12 program, have partnered with teachers at rural K-8 schools to teach science through applied ecological research.  A primary theme of this project has been that students must learn the process of doing science, rather than just being taught the subject matter, in order to become scientifically and ecologically literate members of society.  This belief has led the Fellows to move students out of the classroom and into the surrounding landscapes to develop their own ecological research projects.  These projects include 1) studying the connections between soil, grazing, invasive plants and riparian issues on rangeland, 2) conducting scientific investigations into factors influencing bird and mammal distribution, abundance, and habitat use in a riparian-woodland-meadow ecosystem, and 3) assessing the effects of  timber harvest and residential development on water quality and trout habitat in the Gallatin River.  Hands-on research by the students has increased their interest in the process of science as well as in locally relevant ecological issues.  While K-8 students have grasped a better understanding of science from the program, teachers have also added research-based science to their teaching repertoire.  Finally, Fellows have had the opportunity to hone their communication skills by presenting aspects of their own research to a non-scientific audience.  The ultimate measure of success from this project is the increased enthusiasm of students for science, and the commitment of Fellows to engage in scientific outreach throughout their careers.