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by jstilesoe

KABT Fall Conference

September 13, 2011 in Events, Field Trips, KABT Meetings

Thanks to Pat Lamb for planning and all who presented and attended to make this year’s Fall Conference successful. Below is a summary of the presentations along with web sites mentioned by each presenter.

Valerie Wright discussed the Konza Environmental Educational Program that students across the state are participating at their locations as well as on The Konza. Students become the researchers and collect data that can be entered into The Konza’s data base. Teachers can have their students record phenology data (first events such as recording when a plant blooms for the first time each year) on their web site and compare year after year. To view data forms and databases go to http://konza.ksu.edu/keep/dataentry.htm. If you want to know more about the Konza Prairie go to http://kpbs.konza.ksu.edu.

Students can test their nature-knowledge by participating in an area Ecomeet. Students test in four areas: habitat, focus test, scavenger hunt and interpretation.  To learn more about area ecomeets go to http://kansasecomeet.org/#What.

Noah Busch presented on using Daphnia in the classroom. Effects of chemicals and temperature on heart rate can be studied as well as anatomy, phototactic behavior, and predator response. For more information friend Noah Busch here on KABT.org.

Dr. Eva Horne and Dr. Robbie Bear from KSU listed web sites for programs to help with active learning. Some of these sites are:

http://simbio.com

http://bio150.chass.utoronto.ca/foraging/

Dr. Tony Joern and Adam Skibbe presented recent data collected using GIS on Konza Prairie to determine density distribution of bison. They took KABT on a tour of the Konza and let us view the bison.

Harry McDonald, with Kansas Citizens for Science, invited all to attend the Science Cafe on November 8. For more information go to http://kcfs.org/.

Thanks again to all who attended. Next year we will have the Fall Conference at the KU Field Station. We look forward to having you!

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Avatar of Eric Kessler

by Eric Kessler

KHS Fall Field Trip to Jewell County

September 11, 2011 in Events, Field Trips, Nature, Teaching Resources

September 17-18

I should have posted a few weeks back on this opportunity but it came upon me a bit quick this year.  Usually the trip is held in early to mid-October.  Did you have anything to do with this change, Stan?  jk

Well, since I missed seeing you all at the KABT meeting yesterday, I figured why not post on next weeks field trip and maybe I’d have the chance to catch up there instead.  So, here goes…

 

Background

The Kansas Herpetolgical Society has been holding field trip since its inception in the mid-1970′s, so I am told.  The mission of the society is, as Joe Collins states on their website:

…to encourage scholarship, research, and dissemination of scientific information through the facilities of the Society; to encourage conservation of wildlife in general and of the herpetofauna of Kansas in particular; and to achieve closer cooperation and understanding between herpetologists, so that they may work together in common cause.

Beside publishing a quarterly newsletter and then journal (see pdf archives), the society has organized a fall meeting, and a spring and fall field trip annually.  This year’s meeting will take place on November 4-6 at the Great Plains Nature Center in Wichita, KS.  A summer field trip was held for the first time in more than 15 years this year as well.  Although the society doesn’t display photos of their trips via their website, you can become a member of a related Kansas Herpetology group on Facebook that does.  Travis Taggart also maintain the wonderful KS Herp Atlas (one cool thing you can do at the site is get a current listing of herpetological taxa by county).

My Experience

I have been participating in the society since the mid-1990′s having been made aware of the society via Dr. David Edds at Emporia State University (thanks David!).  I have taken students to participate in the spring and fall field trips for over a decade now.  You can navigate to my website with pdf slideshows of our past forays.  In fact,  view at least one of these slideshows would be the best way for you to get a feel for what the trips are like.

For those of you that are now considering participation in the KS EcoMeet after yesterday’s introduction, I can say that my students have learned a lot on these trips over the years without realizing they were learning anything.  In fact, our success in winning the state competition the past two years is likely attributable their scoring so well on the herpetology taxa test.  This year’s taxa test is on birds so it won’t help as much but…

So, here is what I do every year to keep this going:

  • I edit a Field Trip Information Form that I prepared years ago for the particular county we will be traveling to.  Click on the link for the form for this year.   I also have particular district forms that need to be handed out and signed by parents as well, and have to make the district aware of the field trip since it usually is quite a distance from school and is an overnight trip as well.
  • I advertise the trip in my classes by showing pictures from a previous field trip, and hold an informational meeting generally 2-3 weeks prior to the event.  If you hold it too soon, student priorities change too much and some will drop out.  By holding it early enough though, you can have a separate meeting the week before the event to arrange whose is bring tents, etc…
  • On the day of the trip, I have students drop off their supplies before school so that I can pack the van during the day and be prepared once the school day is done to get on the road.  In more recent years, I have received permission to leave earlier in the day on those more distant trip so that we might arrive with some daylight remaining.
  • Then, the rest is all about being yourself.  If you demonstrate your passion about the outdoors, your students will behave in kind.  I have never had a bad trip (knock on wood)!

Realize that when I first began involving students in this field trip, I actually met a small number of student at the site for just the Saturday’s events.  I didn’t drive them, I didn’t have a forms, I just told them about this public event and met them there.  So, don’t feel like you have to go for three days, camp out, stay up road cruising until 2:00 am in the morning, etc… 

I’d be happy just to see you on Saturday which would be quite doable for those of you in the middle of the state for this years trip in Jewell County (north of Salina on the Nebraska border).

So, that is that.  I hope you found something that might help you lead a KHS Field Trip in the future.  If you have any questions I will respond to your comments or feel free to e-mail me at ekessler@bluevalleyk12.org.

Hope to see you in the field!

 

 

 

 

 

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by julie schwarting

KABT Spring Fieldtrip April 29-30, 2011!

March 31, 2011 in Field Trips

 KABT Fieldtrip April 29-30, 2011!

Breathe fresh spring air as we explore one of the most ecologically diverse habitats in Kansas!  We’ll hike the prairie/savannah at Woodson State Lake and the Ancient Tree Trail at Cross-Timbers State Park, Toronto Lake.  Weather permitting, we plan to canoe Fall River Saturday afternoon.   Bring your colleagues for a weekend of outdoor fun and collaboration!

KABT Spring Fieldtrip 2011 Itinerary

Woodson State Lake   Cross Timbers State Park    Ancient Oak Trail

Map of route from Woodson to Toronto to Fall River

Email jaschwar@usd497.org to RSVP by April 18th for canoe reservations. Please use KABT Trip in the subject line.

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Avatar of Eric Kessler

by Eric Kessler

Home, Home on the Range

June 17, 2010 in Field Trips, KABT News, Nature, Teaching Resources

Where the Mule Deer and the Pronghorn Antelope Play…

Reflections on the KABT Field Trip in Logan County, June 4-6, 2010

I am not sure what KABT’s goal for the field trip were but for me they were two-fold.  I wanted to provide an inspirational outdoor experience for four of my senior students, and two of my children, who eagerly participated in the trip, while learning myself about the wonderful short-grass prairie from our very own sage, the Yoda-like natural history master, Stan Roth. 

In both regards the trip was a resounding success, even though I failed to continue to follow Noah’s driving lead into better pastures where he was finally able to witness the character of our pursuit, the endangered a recently re-established Black-Footed Ferret (see Noah’s posts). 

If you are sad that you missed the trip, continue on since I did my best to record it all for you…

More specifically, follow along to see what I saw, learn what I learned, listen while I contemplate what KABT may have learned, and educate yourself on the prairie dog wars of Logan County, Kansas in hopes of a return trip to this wonderful county… 

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by bcoon352

KABT Spring Fieldtrip

April 25, 2010 in Field Trips, KABT News

KABT Field Trip
When: June 4 & 5
Where: Smoky Valley Ranch
Logan County in Western Kansas

Welcome to the 2010 KABT fieldtrip. This is open to all who enjoy biology, members and non-members, we have a very exciting trip planned to the Nature Conservancy and Haverfield Ranch.

The Smoky Valley Ranch (SVR) is located about 15 miles south of Monument, KS. Lodging for the trip is available at multiple locations. For the purposes of this trip KABT has been given permission to use the primitive bunkhouse located on the ranch. The bunkhouse has 8 beds and also has a bath; you are required to bring your own linens and bedroll. The bunkhouse space will be given on a first come first serve basis. We have been given the permission to camp at the ranch for the nights of June 4 and 5. Other nearby camping locations includes Scott State Lake, located south of the ranch. Hotel accommodations can be found an hour and a half away in Oakley, KS.

The association needs an idea of how many people to expect for the field trip we do ask that attendees RSVP with the number of people that they plan on bringing by emailing bcoon@usd352.k12.ks.us . Please put “KABT trip” in the subject line.

Directions to the SVR headquarters and bunkhouse: To access the Headquarters/bunkhouse: at the east intersection of US-40 & US-83 at the south edge of Oakley, go south on US-83 for 11 miles to Seneca Rd. There are a couple of communication towers there. Go west on Seneca 7 miles to the “T” intersection and turn south. Drive another 7 miles. The SVR Hq. “campus” will be in view and there will be a gate/lane on the left [east] and one ahead [south] that may be closed. Take the east lane and travel s.e. to the metal office/storage/maintenance building and turn right [west] and drive down the lane to the large, stone ranch house………the bunkhouse. The address is 1114 County Rd. 370, Oakley KS

What to bring:
First and foremost, it is highly suggested to have a full tank of gas. Other items to bring include cameras, binoculars, lawn chairs, hiking boots, a cooler of food for 3 meals, (Friday night, Saturday breakfast, and lunch), plenty of water, bug spray, and camping equipment.

Activities:
Friday evening: Meet at SVR for an evening of camaraderie with fellow KABT members.

Saturday: There are two hiking trails located on ranch, various groups will be formed based on biological interest and self-guided exploration of the area will take place. Near one of the hiking trails is a bison jump site. Also, the historic Butterfield Trail crosses the present ranch.

Possible sightings unique to western Kansas include: Prairie dogs, Prairie chickens, ferruginous hawks, Swift fox, Golden Eagles, Burrowing owls, Pronghorn, Prairie Rattlesnakes, short-grass prairie plant species, and at night the possibility of sighting black-footed ferrets on a nearby ranch (approximately 20 miles from Smoky Valley Ranch).

Saturday night: The plan is to meet at Mittens Truck Stop in Oakley, KS for a meal at 6:00, where we will eat (Dutch treat), and prepare for an evening of spotlighting the nocturnal black-footed ferret. Starting at 10-11:00 we will begin spotlighting at Haverfield Ranch.

Sunday Morning: disperse and head safely back to where you call home

For directions to the Smoky Valley Ranch see the nature conservancy website at

www.nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/kansas/preserves/art63.html

There is no charge for the day and non-members are welcome but we do encourage you to support KABT with your membership ($15/year, $5/year for students).

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by bwelch

Spring Fieldtrip to Cheyenne Bottoms

June 7, 2009 in Field Trips

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KABTers Birding

KABTers Birding

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Getting the perfect picture!

The KABT annual spring fieldtrip is simply an opportunity to learn and interact with fellow biology teachers.  I have learned more biology than you can imagine from simply being around and listening to others!  I cannot overemphasize the importance of learning with others.  You build up your expertise, you build up your fellow biology teachers expertise and that is the kind of experience that will impact your teaching.  The field trip is NOT a test of what you do and don’t know in the outdoors, rather it is an opportunity to absorb the knowledge of those that can identify (with maybe 90% accuracy?).  I am the first to admit that I cannot name, identify, or give an natural history of quite few flora and fauna, but I attend these trips to learn (and also make fun of some of the older guys). Although as most of you know, its not necessarily what you learn but how you learn that builds your lifelong memories.  I simply wish every biology teacher could experience just one of these special trips.  You talk about school, kids, technology, and everything else, but you really get to absorb the thoughts and opinions of your peers.  I know that I will always value the thoughts and opinions of my fellow biology teachers.  This past Saturday, June 6, 2009, we met at the Wetlands Education building at Cheyenne  Bottoms.  After a great tour of the education center that included various displays, a teaching classroom, and an auditorium we carpooled over to the lookout tower in Cheyenne Bottoms.  After eating we took a driving tour that included numerous stops along the way.  Although I do not have a comprehensive list of species we encountered I do know that I saw birds much closer than I have in the past, but beyond that I had an opportunity to commune with nature with some other nature lovers. By the way, it appears that there is an inverse relationship between the quality of a biology teachers’ joke and their years of experience (personal observation during this trip).  I hope all KABTers and any biology teachers that wish to will try to attend at lease one of these awe inspiring journeys around Kansas!

A couple of picts from Charlotte:KABTers

More KABTers

Yellow Headed Blackbird

Yellow Headed Blackbird

birdwatching

birdwatching

A view of Cheyenne Bottoms from Lookout Point

A view of Cheyenne Bottoms from Lookout Point

Observing Crayfish

Observing Crayfish

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by kyleesharp

KABT Spring Field Trip: June 6, 2009

May 11, 2009 in Field Trips, KABT News, Nature

This year’s Spring field trip will be on Saturday, June 6, at Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area.

From Fort Hays Univeristy Wetlands Education Center Website

From Fort Hays Univeristy Wetlands Education Center Website

We will be meeting at 10am at the Kansas Wetlands Education Center at the Bottoms.  We have reserved a classroom there, and are asking participants to bring any materials we can use to collaborate and create a lesson/lab or two that we can then take back and do with our classrooms next year.  That may mean bringing laptops, microscopes, slides, petri dishes, dropping pipettes, cameras, nets, buckets, binoculars, etc.  The classroom that is reserved has tables and chairs, and that is about it, so we need to bring all of our own lab equipment.

For those who want to arrive Friday and camp out, we will be at the Venango campground at Kanopolis State Park, about 45 minutes northeast of Cheyenne Bottoms.  Friday evening we will have fly fishing, bird watching, and other activities for those who are interested.  Please bring your own camping gear and food.   (Please see the Venango link for camping costs).

Friends and family are welcome!  Hope to see you there!

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Avatar of Randy Dix

by Randy Dix

Biotechnology Workshops at JCCC

April 27, 2009 in Field Trips, KABT News, Nature

jccc

Johnson County Community College is offering teachers Introductory and Advanced biotechnology classes. There is no charge for the classes and a stipend is available for attendees. See attachment for details.  educator_information1

Teachers looking for paid summer internships should complete the attached application. biotech-summer-internship-application-2009 Placement can be arranged for 2-4 weeks at a biotechnology company.

Contact  Megan Gray for more details.

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Avatar of Brad Williamson

by Brad Williamson

Return to Ashfall

June 5, 2008 in Field Trips, KABT Meetings, KABT News

Despite nearly $4 a gallon gas and a 6-8 hour drive 16 KABTer’s and their families made the trip to the Morrill Museum in Lincoln, NE, Niobrara State Park and Ashfall State Park this past weekend. Harry, Charlotte, Brad, Carol, Randy, Josie, Tiffany, Brian Alex, Abbie, Julie, Charlotte, Jennifer, Kayla, Stan, and Janet all took a trip into the Cenozoic of Nebraska. Unlike the last trip north there was no weather issues to confront. Most of the party met up at 10:00 on Saturday morning at the Morrill Museum. This is a good place to get a handle on the diversity of Cenozoic mammal fossils that are found in Nebraska. Many don’t realize it but Nebraska is one of the best places to find a diversity fossil elephants like mammoths and mastodons. Here’s some shots from the Elephant hall in the museum:

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Avatar of Eric Kessler

by Eric Kessler

Kansas Herpetological Society Field Trips

April 16, 2008 in Field Trips, KABT News, Teaching Resources

Neosho County or Bust (April 25-27)

Outdoor experiences have and continue to inspire and enhance our interest in the biological sciences.  Unlike many of you I grew up in Kansas City without access to a diverse fauna and flora.  I do remember playing in a neighborhood creek and collecting crinoid fossils from behind what was Milgram’s Groceries at state line and 103rd.  My most memorable natural experiences derive from our annual family canoe trips in the pristine and protected waters of southern Missouri.  I would hound my father to canoe ahead of everyone else and steer me from one bank to the other so that I would have the best chance of observing and capturing the common map turtles that are frequently found basking on logs along the shore. 

If we want to inspire and motivate our students, we need to facilitate similar experiences (even James Watson began with an interest in ornithology).   Participation in the Kansas Herpetological Societies annual spring and fall field trips can provide an avenue for providing such experiences.

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