MATERIALS YOU WILL NEED
Computer, smartphone or headset
Internet
Paper
Pen or pencil
DURATION
1-hour activity
OTHER ACTIVITIES
MORE INFORMATION
thevirtualfield.org
Blurry video? See viewing tips posted next to each video link on The Virtual Field website.
Watch the video. Be sure to look up, down, behind you and side to side. Pause the video when you see something of interest. Now write down at least five observations you have of this ecosystem. Focus on colors, shapes, sizes, textures and patterns, rather than simple identification. Example: The trees are really tall and they have hardly any leaves near the shady forest floor.
Observation 1:
Observation 2:
Observation 3:
Observation 4:
Observation 5:
Take a field trip to around the world to field stations and marine laboratories, places where researchers study natural processes and how humans interact with the landscape. At each site, four 5-minute 360-degree videos are filmed during fall, winter, spring and summer. As you explore, ask questions about what you see.
CHOOSE A VIDEO
The Virtual Field - 360 Seasonal Video Series
ASK QUESTIONS
Explorer Guide
thevirtualfield.org is a project of the Organization of Biological Field Stations
Choose an 360-Degree Seasonal video (thevirtualfield.org/360-degree-seasonal-videos) and write the title here:
Video Title:
OBSERVE
Choose three of your observations from the previous page that are the most intriguing and rewrite them below. The, for each of your observations, write down at least 3 “how-why” questions. Start each question with “how” or “why” rather than “what”. Avoid “how much” and “how many”. Example:
Observation: The trees are really tall and they have hardly any leaves near the shady forest floor.
How or Why Question 1: Why are the trees so tall?
How or Why Question 2: Why aren’t there any leaves near the forest floor?
How or Why Question 3: How do the trees survive when the only sunlight is in the canopy?
Observation:
How or Why Question:
How or Why Question:
How or Why Question:
Observation:
How or Why Question:
How or Why Question:
How or Why Question:
Observation:
How or Why Question:
How or Why Question:
How or Why Question:
ASK QUESTIONS
The Virtual Field - 360 Seasonal Video Series
ASK QUESTIONS
Explorer Guide
thevirtualfield.org is a project of the Organization of Biological Field Stations
Choose 3 “How or Why Questions” from the previous page and write them below. Then think of three possible Answers. Example Question: Why are the trees so tall?
Example Possible Answer: because they get a lot of water
Example Possible Answer: because only the tall ones get sunlight
Example Possible Answer: because they have grown for a very long time
Question: .
Possible Answer:
Possible Answer:
Possible Answer:
Question: .
Possible Answer:
Possible Answer:
Possible Answer:
Question: .
Possible Answer:
Possible Answer:
Possible Answer:
The Virtual Field - 360 Seasonal Video Series
ASK QUESTIONS
Explorer Guide
thevirtualfield.org is a project of the Organization of Biological Field Stations
CREATE A STORY
ASK QUESTIONS cont.
Choose a Video
Choose another 360 Video at the same site as the first video but at a different time of year and write down the title.
Title of the Video:
Observe
Find the same things in the new video that you asked questions about in the first video. The compass at the bottom of the screen can help you locate the objects in both videos. Find one that looks different in the first and second video and describe the difference. Example Observation: In the summer video the trees had lots of leaves and in the winter video they did not.
Observation about Seasonal Differences:
Ask Questions
Write three “how” or “why” questions about seasonal differences you observed. Avoid “how much” and “how many” questions. Example How or Why Question: How do the the trees “know” when to grow leaves?
How or Why Question:
How or Why Question:
How or Why Question:
Choose one of your questions and list three possible answers to your question. Example Possible Answer: The trees can detect changes in temperature.
Possible Answer:
Possible Answer:
Possible Answer:
The Virtual Field - 360 Seasonal Video Series
ASK QUESTIONS
Explorer Guide
thevirtualfield.org is a project of the Organization of Biological Field Stations
COMPARE SEASONS
Write down a Question and Possible Answer from the previous page below. Example Question: How do the the trees “know” when to grow leaves? Example Possible Answer: They detect changes in temperature.
Question: .
Possible Answer: .
Design a study to determine if your possible answer might be accurate. Be sure to include what data you would collect. Example Study Design: Grow 20 individuals of this species in pots in their natural habitat. During winter when they don’t have leaves, split them into two groups and place in two temperature-controlled rooms with ambient light. In one room, continue to mimic the temperature typical of a winter day. In the other room, mimic the temperature typical of a summer day. Measure leaf growth over the next 6 weeks. Compare the timing and rates of growth for both groups.
Study Design:
The Virtual Field - 360 Seasonal Video Series
ASK QUESTIONS
Explorer Guide
thevirtualfield.org is a project of the Organization of Biological Field Stations
CREATE A STORY
DESIGN A STUDY