HJ Andrews LTER offers research experience for teachers, students and artists

Research Experience for Teachers (RET)

Larry Byman, a Biology and Environmental Field Studies teacher in Longview, Washington, worked with Andrews Forest scientists during the 2006 field season to learn about long-term data collection and data management techniques. Based on what he learned at the Andrews Forest, Byman developed an environmental curriculum for use at the Longview District's Wake Robin Outdoor Learning Center. "This ranks as one of the absolute best learning experiences I've had during my teaching career," said Byman. His lessons cover topics such as litter decomposition, moth diversity, soil seed bank, stream cross sections, and tree growth rates. Byman's lessons are available through the Wake Robin Outdoor Learning Center's website.

Kurt Cox, a junior high science teacher from the McKenzie School District, developed a set of research activities on the McKenzie High School grounds which is based upon research being conducted at the Andrews Forest. The seventh and eighth-graders will visit the Andrews LTER site in the fall and spring to conduct vegetation surveys, examine log decomposition, and measure stream structure.

More information on educational activities of the Andrews Forest program is available.