Nature

A Forest After the Rain begins in a forest valley after several days of spring rain. The central question is how water changes the soil plants animals and daily work. At first, local students park workers and nearby families arrive with different expectations, because each person notices a different part…

The ocean covers most of the Earth’s surface and contains one of the largest and most diverse environments on the planet. From bright coral reefs near tropical coasts to the cold and almost completely dark waters of the deep sea, the ocean supports an incredible variety of life. Near the…

A river begins its journey quietly, often as a small stream formed by melting snow, underground springs, rainfall, or water flowing down from hills and mountains. At first, it may be narrow enough to step across, moving gently between rocks and patches of grass, but as it travels farther, smaller…

Life Along a Changing Coast begins in a wide coastal marsh where the tide reaches grass sand and shallow pools. The central question is why shorelines move and how living things adapt to salt wind and water. At first, fishers science volunteers teachers and children from a coastal town arrive…

A forest is one of the most complex and beautiful natural systems on Earth, filled with countless forms of life that depend on one another in ways that are often invisible to us. At first glance, a forest may seem like nothing more than a large collection of trees, but…

Before sunrise, the rocky shore looks almost empty, but the falling tide slowly reveals a crowded world between the waves. Shallow pools hold small fish, sea stars, anemones, snails, and strands of green weed. Each animal occupies a narrow zone shaped by water depth, temperature, sunlight, and the force of…

For much of the year, the desert plain holds pale grass, dry channels, and shrubs spaced far apart. Then a slow storm crosses the hills and rain begins to darken the soil. Water runs through shallow gullies that seemed permanent only because they had been empty for months. Seeds resting…

Along a busy avenue, rows of mature trees perform useful work that is easy to overlook. Their leaves shade pavement and walls, reducing the heat stored by concrete during summer afternoons. Branches slow heavy rain before it reaches drains, while roots create paths through soil that might otherwise become tightly…

A mountain walk can begin beneath a clear sky and enter cloud before lunch. Elevation changes temperature, wind, and moisture so quickly that nearby slopes may experience very different conditions. A hiking group preparing for a high trail studies more than the general forecast for the nearest town. They examine…

In early autumn, a broad wetland becomes a temporary home for birds traveling between distant regions. Some remain for only a night, while others feed for several weeks before continuing south. The marsh offers shallow water, seeds, insects, small fish, and protected places to rest. Its value comes from variety:…