Purdue News

April 14, 2000 Purdue offers a taste of tree science for middle schools WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – To observe Earth Day on April 22, Indiana teachers and students can help the environment and improve property values by planting a tree – and Purdue University can help turn that experience into a science lesson. "Purdue has a wealth of science information," said Natalie Carroll, the Indiana environmental 4-H specialist. "We've pulled from that to create a teaching packet that uses hands-on activities to teach science concepts and to meet a variety of Indiana science proficiency requirements." Carroll helped produce "Benefits of Trees," a teaching packet chock-full of indoor and outdoor activities, overheads, an Indiana tree identification book and a short video on tree-planting. Teachers can get the packet, which costs $9.95, by contacting Purdue Agricultural Communication Service Media Distribution Center at (888) EXT-INFO, fax: (765) 496-1540, or sending e-mail to Media.Order@ces.purdue.edu and asking for YSS-2, "Benefits of Trees." Packet activities are geared toward upper elementary and middle school students, Carroll said. They cover topics in basic plant science, forestry and environmental science. Activities outlined in the guide include tree planting, discussion sessions on the benefits and uses of trees, a lesson on tree anatomy, tree identification, and discussion and identification of tree seeds. The packet also includes the Indiana 4-H General Forestry manual that tells how to collect, press and preserve plant specimens. Purdue also has developed a similar packet of educational material called "Why Leaves Change Color," YSS-1, which makes a great follow-up to the tree-planting activity. Teachers can use the same contact information above to order. Source: Natalie Carroll, (765) 494-6871, ncarroll@purdue.edu Writer: Rebecca J. Goetz, (765) 494-0461; rjg@aes.purdue.edu Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu To the Purdue News and Photos Page