Take Careful Observations
Teacher Lesson Plan | Interactive Activity

Grades 6-10 Content Areas - Social Studies, Math, Science Explore navigational tools and techniques of Lewis and Clark, and try to determine their latitude using those instruments and techniques. Compare latitude calculations made by the explorers with actual locations known today and analyze the discrepancies. This activity uses Flash technology to actively involve learners.

Pass Over to the Columbia
Teacher Lesson Plan | Interactive Activity

Grades 6-10 Content Areas - Social Studies, Math, Science Make mathematical calculations like Lewis and Clark did on their expedition. Explore river current velocity, distance, and direction of travel. Each successful calculation moves you closer to the Pacific Ocean. This activity uses Flash technology to actively involve learners.

Lewis and Clark Medical Challenges WebQuest
Interactive Activity

Grades 9-12 Content Areas - Health, Social Studies, Science Explore the diseases, injuries and treatments faced by men of the Lewis and Clark Expedition during their 29-month journey through the wilderness; diagnose and plan a treatment based on medical technology of the time; finally compare the medical practices of Lewis and Clark to “modern medicine.” In this WebQuest activity, students work in cooperative groups using the Problem-Based Learning model.

 WebQuest  Acquire What Knowledge You Can
Interactive Activity

Grades 9-12 Content Areas - Social Studies, Science In this webquest, students in grades 9-12 investigate scientific inquiry on the Lewis and Clark expedition, by examining their roles as ethnographers, linguists, and paleontologists.

Lesson 1 -- Mega Mammals, Huge Floods and the Ice Age in the Columbia River Gorge

Grades 4-12

Content Areas: Science, Geography

This program has the students examining the different ice age theories.  Students will also learn about the unique ice age mega mammals.  Students will be introduced to the theories of why the mega mammals became extinction.  Students will also learn about giant ice age Missoula floods which changed the landscape of the Columbia River Gorge forever.  The program will use student inquiry, slides, and props.  

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Lesson 2 – The Cargo of the Lewis and Clark Expeditions
Grades 4-10
Content Areas - Social Studies, Science

This program will familiarize your students with the equipment and supplies that Lewis and Clark took on their historic journey. Using inquiry learning, students will interact with the instructor to explore the technology of the time by examining specific equipment and supplies taken by the Corps of Discovery 200 years ago. Topics will include medicine, scientific instruments, Indian trading goods, camping equipment, arms and accessories, and clothing.

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Lesson 3 – Life Cycle of the Columbia River Salmon
Grades 4-10
Content Areas - Science

Students will simulate the journey of a salmon down the Columbia River to the Pacific Ocean and back. Along their journey students will encounter the hazards that salmon face. Through interactive discussion, students will gain an understanding of the issues, problems, and possible solutions for maintaining the Columbia River salmon fishery.

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Lesson 4 - Dinner in The Dalles: What plants and animals did Lewis and Clark eat while passing through the Columbia River Gorge?
Grades 4-10
Content Areas - Social Studies, Math, Science

What did Lewis and Clark eat as they passed through the Columbia River Gorge? This program uses the Lewis and Clark journey to explore the ecosystems of grassland-shrub, pine-oak woodland, riparian, and Douglas fir by sampling the plants and animals hunted or traded for to feed the Corps and maintain equipment while in the Columbia River Gorge near present-day The Dalles, Oregon. Journal entries from Lewis and Clark reveal nutritious foods forgotten by most inhabitants today. Students will be encouraged to think like a plant, or cope like a critter as dinner at The Dalles is set on the table much as Lewis and Clark would have dined in 1805.

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Lesson 5 – Lewis and Clark Rock and Roll: How did the geology of the Columbia River Gorge impact Lewis and Clark and the Corps of Discovery?
Grades 4-10
Content Areas - Social Studies, Math, Science

As they rode their canoes down the Columbia River, Lewis and Clark were humbled by whirling constricted narrows, frothy boulder strewn rapids, and forceful winds that halted their progress. Explore the intersection between the geologic story of the Columbia Gorge and Lewis and Clark's epic journey with museum staff. What processes formed the long and short narrows, Celilo Falls, and the Grande Chute of the Columbia? What causes the persistent wind? As they learn the geologic story of the Columbia River Gorge and hear the journal writings of Lewis and Clark, students will gain appreciation of both the power of nature and the fortitude of the Corps of Discovery.

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Lesson 6 –Live Bird Show-Raptors of the Columbia River Gorge
Grades K-12
Content Areas -Science

This is a "live" bird show featuring a variety of birds of prey which may include eagles, owls, hawks, and falcons.  Student will learn how birds of prey hunt, their unique characteristics, and other interesting and educational information about these remarkable creatures.

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Lesson 7- Surviving the Oregon Trail:  What should we take?

Grades 3-12

Content Areas-Social Studies, Science

This program looks at the decisions that emigrants had to make as they prepared to cross the continent on the Oregon Trail. Students will become familiar with the supplies and equipment needed to cross the America continent successfully in wagons in the 1840’s. Using inquiry learning students will evaluate which items were essential for survival and which items were luxuries.

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Lesson 8 - Opening the West: From Lewis and Clark to the Oregon Trail

Grades 4-12

Content Areas-Social Studies

This interactive program will look at the contributions and impact of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. The program will highlight other groups that came West. The program will look at their motivation to enter the American West and their contribution to the settling of the Western frontier. The program will conclude with a presentation and discussion of the Oregon Trail Migration.

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