Sample Schedule & Activity Descriptions

Longleaf Pine Tour: Students will travel by van to a nature preserve Sandhills of North Carolina, a unique ecoregion known for longleaf pine forests and the red-cockaded woodpeckers. Students will have the opportunity to learn from an expert in longleaf pine management and restoration, while walking through this rare forest type.

Duke Forest Management Tour: Students will have the opportunity to meet with Duke Forest employees to discuss management techniques and research currently taking place in the Duke Forest.

Benthic Macroinvertebrates: Students will have the opportunity to explore a stream and collect invertebrates living in the bottom substrate. Students will learn proper techniques for collecting specimens in the field (so as not to injure delicate fauna). Using kick-nets and identification guides students will learn how to identify tiny fauna in the field and how to analyze stream health based on their findings.

Duke SMART Home: The Duke SMART home is a dorm facility located on Duke University campus. The home is a LEED Platinum research and living space. The house was constructed in collaboration with Home Depot and completed in 2007. We will tour the facility and learn about all the innovative ways water is conserved and repurposed throughout the home.

Stream Assessment:

  • Visual Stream Assessment: A visual stream assessment is conducted to evaluate the health and perceived natural components of a stream. Students will look at the nature surrounding the stream and evaluate stream traits such as color, smell, shade and ground composition using only their power of observation.
  • Physical Stream Assessment: Physical stream assessment will be conducted predominantly in the stream. Students will each be given a pair of waders (used both for field study and fishing) to stay dry as they explore the nooks and crannies of the stream. Students will learn how to measure stream characteristics such as stream turbidity, flow, and width as well as water chemistry.

Chemistry Lab: Students will get hands on experience in a college laboratory setting while participating in our chemistry lab. This lab will help students better understand what causes water pollution and various techniques such as pipetting that are used in a traditional chemistry lab environment.