This presentation is part of the Pacific Education Institute's content for the STEM Project Based Learning tutorial available through NH e-Learning for Educators as part of the Conservation Education series supported by the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies.

1. Technology for
Field
Investigations

2. Take a Moment
• Take a moment to define technology. Write
your definition on the Technology Resources in
my Profession document.
• Reflect on the role technology plays in your
job.

3. This is the definition of technology provided by the Next Generation
Science Standards K-12 Science Education Framework 2011 (NGSS)
Technology is any modification of the
natural world made to fulfill human needs
or desires (8-11). Technologies extend the
measurement, exploration, modeling and
computational capacity of scientific
investigations.
Next Generation of Science Standards: A Framework for K-
12 Science Education, 2011

4. Technology Defined
• How does your definition compare with the
NGSS technology definition?
• Revise your definition, if needed.

5. To Educators: Review the Table of Contents of the Technology for K-12 Field
Investigations guide. Think about: Which of these technologies do you currently use?
What technologies interest you?
Technology for K-12 Field Investigations: Scientist Driven Technology and Practices
Table of Contents
Section 1: Technologies used to measure the natural environment: listed by natural resource professionals
Section 2: Websites to prepare for field work or apply science: recommended by natural resource professionals
Part 1: List of recommended websites
Part 2: WebQuest lessons designed to seek information from reliable websites for field studies, stewardship and
recreation.
Section 3: Mobile Units: apps and software for field studies: recommended by natural resource professionals
Part 1: Smart Phones for Science Teachers
Part 2: List of recommended apps
Part 3: NatureTracker: icon driven data collection software for mobile units and desktop
Section 4: Geospatial Literacy: GIS practices essential for natural resource science and engineering. Students
develop GIS capacity through
Part 1: Use of Powerpoint
Part 2: Use of Google Earth
Part 3: Use of ESRI ArcGIS Explorer Online

6. To Educators: Review the possible technology tools that can be used to assist each step of field
investigation. On the Technology for my Profession document, respond to the question: Which of
these technology tools do you currently use?
Table 1: Practices in Science for Field Investigation
Field Investigation Methodologies Technology tools
(AFWA/PEI)
Formulating Investigative Question Access State & National Fish and Wildlife Agency websites for relevant
Descriptive research & background
Comparative Access online journals
Correlative
Identify Setting with a System: Identify Determine Latitude and Longitude using Maps, iphones and websites with
boundaries of study area and time frame – GPS, Google Earth, Bing, ArcMap etc functions.
geographic scale of study
Identify Variables of Interest Use Apps & Websites to assist observation
Observation
Collect and Organize Data Collect Data
Mobile Units SmartPhones
PDA’s- Garmins Trimbles, iPAQ’s with NatureTracker
Laptops with desktop NatureTracker software
Report data into excel spreadsheets (in NatureTracker) & report to online
sites
Analyze Data Analyze Data
Develop Spreadsheet and analyze using graphs or GIS for descriptive,
comparative and correlative questions
Use Evidence to Support a Conclusion Creating an explanation with;
Google Earth
ESRI ArcGIS Explorer
Discussion, Communicating Information Sharing Information:
Citizen Science sites NatureMapping Foundation (All species); eBird (birds)
Communicating Information:
Webinars, blogs, Skype etc

7. Typical Field Investigation Data Recording Form: Fish and Wildlife
Date Time Temp Species How Latitude Longitude How Is this an Habitat
name Observed? many did estimate Code
Description: (Saw, heard, you see? ?
tracks, etc)
iCalendar iWatch iThermo- Apps & Binoculars iGPS iGPS Visual Visual Visual
eCalendar eWatch meter websites Plaster casts iPhoto iPhoto iPhoto
iPhotos for
verification
Smartphone or computer reference: (i) or (e)
To Educators: You can use a variety of websites and/or apps for each of the fields
(columns) in the data reporting form typically used for field investigation.
A list of recommended websites and apps from biologists and conservation
educators are available in the Technology Guide:
Section 2: Part 1: List of recommended websites (page 15-18)
Section 3: Part 2: List of recommended apps (pages 34-36)

8. To Educators: In this section you will find websites used and recommended by
natural resource professionals that may have value for your work as
educators. Each website cited has one or more of the purposes listed below.
Section 2 Part 1: Websites recommended by natural resource professionals
(Pages 15-18)
Field observation help– where users receive assistance to identify their target
Field locations – where users receive assistance to identify their specific
geographic location
Report Data – citizen science – a site where users may contribute their data
Recreation – where users may find locations for outdoor recreation
Background info - location specific natural resource information
Data available for download
Access to journals

9. A Webquest is……
Section 2: Part 2. Teacher Guide to using WebQuests (page 19)
Field Investigation:
1. Biodiversity: What Other Wildlife Lives Here?
2. Invasive Species Take Over
3. The Future for Shellfish Farming
4. Plants are Grocery Stores and Apartment Buildings
Stewardship:
5. Birds Belong: Creating Good Bird Habitat
6. Litter and It Will Hurt
7. Marine Debris Team
Recreation
8. Going Fishing: example provided
9. Hunting Trip
To Educators: Conservation Educators and teachers can provide rich
research experiences for students through their own customized
WebQuests. The WebQuests provided in the Technology Guide may be
edited to suit your learning purposes.

10. Section 3: Mobile Units: apps and software for field studies: recommended by
natural resource professionals
Part 1: Smart Phones for Science Teachers (page 32-33): advice to educators
Part 2: List of recommended apps (page 34-36): provided by natural resource
professionals
Part 3: NatureTracker: icon driven data collection software for mobile units and
desktop designed to function as a field notebook (pages 37-48): ideal for students

11. To Educators: The NatureTracker software assists professionals and learners to
collect data using icon driven screens. Examine the icons and their link to data in
spreadsheets to determine their instructional value for your students.
Date Time Temp Species How Latitude Longitude How Is this an Habitat
name Observed? many did estimate Code
Description: (Saw, heard, you see? ?
tracks, etc)
iCalendar iWatch iThermo- Apps & Binoculars iGPS iGPS Visual Visual Visual
eCalendar eWatch meter websites Plaster casts iPhoto iPhoto iPhoto
iPhotos for
verification
Smartphone or computer reference: (i) or (e)
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Icon Driven Screens of NatureTracker Software for Smartphones, PDA’s or Desktop Computers
Spreadsheet of data
from NatureTracker ↓

12. Section 4: Geospatial Literacy: Use of Geographical Information Systems with Field
Investigation
Example Uses:
Part 1: Using PowerPoint: To create a map or demonstrate a GIS layer of
data
Part 2: Using Google Earth: To involve students in simulated map-reading
activities (such as the Oil Spill Simulation)
or to upload data and create maps related
to field studies.
Part 3: Using ArcGIS Explorer Online: To upload data and create maps related to
field studies and/or to present data about a
location(s).

13. GIS Resources
To Educators:
ArcGIS Explorer Online is a free online program provided by Environmental Systems
Research Institute (ESRI) to create maps and/or presentations (slide shows) related to GIS
projects.
The ESRI Arcview Professional GIS Package is currently being offered free to the
Department of Education and School Districts until 2014. Check to see if your state or
school district has an agreement with ESRI to use the Professional Arcview GIS Package.

14. Conclusion
• Technology practices used by scientists and natural resource
managers are important to Science Technology, Engineering
and Math (STEM)
• Reflect on technology practices that you can highlight in your
conservation education program and consider those you can
add.