Educational videos are available for free loan to educators. These videos focus on science and natural resources and provide excellent introductory and follow-up materials for field trips to the dunes, as well as supplements to in-school curriculum. Many contain supplemental study activities and information. Videos can be mailed to educators within the United States. To request a video, call (219)395-1885.
Children of the River PBS - New Explorers series 30 min., Jr.. High School - Adult (Water cycles, Ecology, Environmental Education, Freshwater Life, Pollution, Social Studies)
This story deals with how school children and their teacher can affect change through studying and understanding local ecosystems. Reports on a Native American community near Detroit whose traditional culture is threatened by industrial pollution in the Great Lakes. By joining Global Rivers Environmental Education Network community members learn to monitor water quality in their river and speak out against polluters. Emphasizes the participation of children who will someday make environmental decisions of their own.
Supplements: Selected activities furnished by Global Environmental Education Network, Izaak Walton League, Chicago Academy of Sciences, list of further resources.
Common Miracles
Sky Schultz - Local Duneland Filmmaker. 29 min., Elementary-Adult (Ecology, Conservation, Indiana Dunes, Great Lakes)
This video depicts wonders of plant and animal life which exist in the highly industrialized regions surrounding southern Lake Michigan, and helps create a greater appreciation for everyday nature in any region. Excellent springboard for discussions.
Supplements: Synopsis, species list, vocabulary words, statements from narration to discuss, brief profile of the poet Carl Sandburg and excerpts from his writings, suggestions for further reading.
Dunes to Forest "The Indiana Dunes" By Dr. William Beecher of Chicago Academy of Sciences. Chicago Academy of Sciences, 32 min., 7th grade - Adult (Geology Indiana Dunes, Plant Succession, Ecology)
A technical coverage of the geological and biological development of the Indiana Dune country from sandy beach to mature forest. Thorough treatment yet lighthearted.
Exploring Science Writing: An Environmental Focus
Recycling: It's Everybody's Job
National Geographic, 20 min., Grades 4-6 (Waste Production, Recycling, Conservation)
This video explains and explores recycling: students bring garbage to school and sort it; items to be recycled arc followed to a separation plant, and then to a recycling plant. Ways to recycle items at home are also covered, as are the conservation and economic benefits of recycling
The Fresh Water Pond
Encyclopedia Britannica, 16 min., Jr. High - High School (Pond Life, Interdependence, Predator/Prey Relationships)
This video depicts pond organisms, from microscopic level to sizable animals such as beaver and herons. Emphasizes interrelationships of organisms, and their various adaptations for breathing, locomotion, predation, and protection.
Fresh Water: Resource at Risk
National Geographic, 28 min., Middle School - High School (Water Pollution, Service Learning)
This video examines threats to North America's water supply and actions taken to protect this resource. Begins in the Great Lakes region, where students test for pollution in rivers, and covers water supply issues in the Great Plains, the Southwest, and South Florida.
Great Lakes Alive! -The Great Experiment
Films for the Humanities and Sciences - 60 min. High School - Adult (Great Lakes, Water Pollution, Bioaccumulation)
This film examines the introduced chemicals and their effects on the waters of the Great Lakes basin. Wildlife of the lakes and their consumers, other wildlife and humans, are defined as populations at risk. Up-to-date research is revealing shocking consequences.
Great Lakes Alive! -To the Last Drop
Films for the Humanities and Sciences - 60 min. High School - Adult (Great Lakes, Global Warming, Natural Resources)
This film considers strategies for coping with a warming climate. The U.S. and Canada are sharing the largest freshwater body in the world. Therefore, they are cooperatively devising a plan to protect its quality and to provide security for the future population.
Great Lakes Alive!- Restoring The Balance Films for the Humanities and Sciences - 60 min. High School - Adult (Great Lakes, Exotic Species)
The film shows how the U.S. and Canada share one of the world's largest freshwater fisheries and how they must now balance their needs with the needs of the latest invader species. Once a unique ecosystem, the Great Lakes are now home to many exotic species such as the Zebra Mussel and the European Ruffe.
The Geology of the Indiana Sand Dunes
Instructional Video, 23 min., Middle School - Adult (Geology, Sand Dune Development, Plant Life)
A video that should be used before a dunes field trip to better understand the development of dunes and their underlying geology. Can be a replacement for the field trip, but we suggest the "getting sand in your shoes" technique. Good introduction to succession, although the "Dunes to Forest" video does a more thorough treatment to that concept.
Supplements: Teacher's guide
A Home for Pearl
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, and Colorado Division of Wildlife - Four episodes, totaling approx. 70 min., Elementary - Jr. High. (Habitat, Wildlife , Conservation)
This video highlights the adventures of three children rescuing a baby robin, attracting rabbits to good habitat, visiting a national wildlife refuge, and helping release an eagle to the wild. Teaches about wildlife habitat and heightens awareness of what wildlife needs to survive. Young viewers also learn about the difference between wild and domestic animals, urban wildlife, predators, endangered species, and the effects of habitat loss. In four parts that can be integrated into elementary curriculum: The Robin (20 min.); Habitat Diversity (15 min.); Predators (15 min.); The Right Home for Pearl (20 min.)
Supplements: A study guide from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service includes projects, games and exercises.
The Inland Pond
Wm J. Jahoda, PhD., Professor of Biology -14 min., Elementary- Middle School (Ecology, Pond Life, Food Chains)
This video teaches about inter-relationships and interactions of organisms in an inland pond. Touches upon basic ecology, natural history and wildlife identification.
Supplements: Synopsis, list of organisms shown in film with comments and suggestions for further study. Leaflet about frogs and toads included.
It's All Connected (The Adults' Version)
Lake Michigan Federation - 11 min., Middle School - Adult (Water Cycle, Household Pollution Prevention)
A comic presentation of a serious problem: how toxic household chemicals make their way from the drain back into our drinking water supplies because "it's all connected." Includes constructive suggestions for making and using less harmful household products. Focus is on water use in Lake Michigan, but message is universal.
Supplements: Guide to Non-toxic Cleaners, includes information on how to obtain other teaching materials from The Alliance for the Great Lakes.
It's All Connected (The Kids' Version)
Same as previous, but geared to elementary to middle school students.
Journey of the Blob
Bullfrog Films, 10 min., Elementary (Water Pollution, Water Cycle)
A short nonverbal depiction for young viewers of how water dumped into a nearby stream travels through the water cycle to re-emerge at the tap. One of several short segments on the same tape.
