Curriculum Materials

Craters of the Moon National Monument is an exceptional area to study volcanic geology and the plants and animals native to Idaho's high desert. A field trip to Craters of the Moon allows students to engage first-hand with this volcanic landscape hiking up, around, and in volcanoes, walking through some of the youngest lava flows in the lower 48 states, and exploring one of our lava tube caves.

Students will conduct experiments and observe the differences in insulation values for a variety of materials. Students will discover factors that influence winter survival for animals and learn how to dress for an outdoor snowshoe hike at Craters of the Moon.

Students will use careful observation to identify and label multiple track sets in the track mystery diagram. They will then complete a series of questions based on their interpretation of the diagram using critical thinking and writing skills to support their answers.

Students match Craters plant adaptations to different habitat types and use their imaginations to create a species well adapted to a habitat of their design.

Students are introduced to the study of geology. They will learn about what is hidden beneath the surface of the Earth and how the geology of the Earth gives shape to the landscape. They will learn about the theory of plate tectonics and how the movement of these plates affects the world around us.

Students learn about the Mantle Plume Theory, plate tectonics, and Idaho geography by experimenting with a map of Idaho.

Students create timelines showing significant events in Earth's history and their own lives.

Students will be able to visualize the times of important evolutionary events in relation to geological and cultural history. Students will be able to name some of the animals that became extinct at Craters of the Moon. Students will use their imaginations to forecast future events and designate them on a timeline.

Students learn about living and nonliving parts of ecosystems through one worksheet and two activities.

Students learn about the complexity of life and interrelationships between living things by constructing a Craters food web.