Field Etiquette Activity
This activity will help students to learn and review proper field etiquette. Students will be properly prepared for both the field trip experience and the ways in which their presence and activities in the field could impact the habitat they are trying to study.
You Will Need:
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Field etiquette grab bag (see content list below)
What to Do:
Introductions:
Prepare students for their field trip by discussing possible impacts their presence at the beach might have and ways in which they can help to minimize the impact and prepare themselves for a successful trip.
Procedures:
Have students come up, one at a time, and pull an item out of the grab bag. Ask the student to try to think of a way that their item symbolizes a field etiquette "rule" that should be followed or action they should take at the field site.
Once all of the items have been pulled from the bag, distribute the Field Etiquette Handout and discuss any other items that are useful to your group
Field Etiquette Grab Bag Contents
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Boot: Walk single file over areas of attached plants and animals. Walk, don’t run and watch your step! |
Hat: Dress warmly! |
Snail Shell: If you find an animal tightly attached, leave it attached! Don't collect shells and other “stuff" because they can be a home to other animals. |
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Litter: Don't litter, in fact—let's pick up trash! |
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Plastic Toy Crab: Hold animals close to the ground—they may be slippery, slimy, or quick. Use small tubs and buckets if possible to view animals. Cup hands and keep them moist with a little bit of water if you are holding animals. |
Toy Shovel: Fill in holes! Small animals left underneath a big pile of mud and sand can be killed and someone could fall in the hole and get hurt. |
Rock: (covered with barnacles on one side if relevant) Return rocks to original position. Turn rocks over gently. Don't turn over really large rocks or you might crush the animals that live below! |
