NH Science NH Science Teachers’ Teachers’

Association Fall Association Fall Conference, 2013Conference, 2013

Sarah ThorneSarah Thorne

Prospect Mt. High SchoolProspect Mt. High School

Moose PowerMoose PowerBased onBased on

Research Experience for TeachersResearch Experience for TeachersHubbard Brook Research Hubbard Brook Research

FoundationFoundationSummer, 2011Summer, 2011

Four Lessons Four Lessons for High School Biology or for High School Biology or

Environmental Science Environmental Science ClassesClasses

1) Investigate moose nutrition and 1) Investigate moose nutrition and energy requirements (indoors)energy requirements (indoors)

2) Mimic moose browsing behavior 2) Mimic moose browsing behavior (outdoors)(outdoors)

3) Collect data re: impact of browsing 3) Collect data re: impact of browsing on shrub structure (outdoors)on shrub structure (outdoors)

4) Analyze data re: impact of shrub 4) Analyze data re: impact of shrub structure on bird nest siting structure on bird nest siting (indoors)(indoors)

Time neededTime needed

5 periods of 45-50 5 periods of 45-50 minutesminutes

Activity one is Activity one is introductory to the introductory to the other lessonsother lessons

Activities 2-4 can Activities 2-4 can be stand-alonebe stand-alone

ResourcesResources

Web links and references are Web links and references are provided to resources needed for the provided to resources needed for the lessons.lessons.

Teacher notes, Teacher notes, student data sheets and student data sheets and

answer keys providedanswer keys provided

Activity Two: Browse Like a Activity Two: Browse Like a MooseMoose

Investigating Moose Diet: How does our largest vegetarian survive?

Activity 2: Browse Like a Moose

Moose Energy and Survival Facts

Ave. twig diameter _____mmAve. twig mass _____ gWet matter intake is _____ kg per

day# of hours browsing per day ____# kg wet matter browsed per hour

____# grams wet matter browsed per hour

____# grams per minute_____# twigs per minute ____

This is how fast you will need to browse!

Activity Two Outdoors: Browse Like a Moose

Each student will have a specific role and contribute data to the group’s data sheet. Conduct browse experiment for 20 minutes.

Materials:Winter twig identification chart (advanced students)Measuring pole showing range of browsing height

Clip boards and data sheetsRuler or calipersHand ClippersStomach bag

WatchScale (indoors)

Back indoorsBack indoors

Weigh stomach bagWeigh stomach bag Calculate browse rate:Calculate browse rate:

____ g/20 min____ g/20 min ____ g/hour____ g/hour ____ kg/hour____ kg/hour

If a moose needs 20kg/day, how many If a moose needs 20kg/day, how many hours will your moose need to browse? hours will your moose need to browse? _____ hours_____ hours

Are you a Are you a survivor?survivor?

Acknowledgements to Acknowledgements to Hubbard Brook Research Hubbard Brook Research

Foundation, Foundation, Michael McDonald, UVM,Michael McDonald, UVM, Allen Tate, Antioch NE Allen Tate, Antioch NE

My students at Prospect Mt. High My students at Prospect Mt. High School School