The Natural Inquirer is a FREE science education journal for middle school students! Each article tells about scientific research conducted by scientists in the USDA Forest Service. All of the research is concerned with nature, trees, wildlife, insects, outdoor activities, and water. Students will “meet the scientists” who conduct the research, read information about science and the environment, and the students will become scientists themselves when they do the FACTivity, learning vocabulary words that help in understanding the articles. At the end of each section, students will find a few questions to help them think more about research, which can also be used for class discussions.
Past issues available include subjects such as:
- Flower Power
- Student Scientists
- Invasive Insects
- Ecosystem Services
- Wildland Fires
- Bioenergy
- Urban Forests
- Earthworms
- Wilderness Areas
- Tropical Plants and Animals
You can download the issues, or register for free at the site to order a copy. You may order a total of 5 different journals at a time.
The website also has lesson plans, scientist cards, slideshows, podcasts, games, related links, and much more!