STUDENTS Spring Break at Brundage U-Idaho Researchers Investigate Snow Science

By Jamie Esler

For spring break this year, 21 students from Lake City High School and Post Falls High School embarked on an Adventure Learning Expedition to the McCall Outdoor Science School, or MOSS, and Brundage Mountain Resort. Students spent the week working with an interdisciplinary team of University of Idaho researchers, MOSS field instructors, and LCHS/PFHS teachers to investigate snow/avalanche science and student physical activity in outdoor, experiential learning environments.

Students spent their days traveling by snowshoes, Nordic skis, and downhill skis and snowboards to dig snow pits and analyze snow layers, snow density, snow-water equivalency, and the effects of changing climate on Earth’s hydrosphere. During the last two days of the trip, students worked in their field groups to conduct inquiry-based investigations about snow and avalanche science.

Questions asked and investigated by student groups included:

• “How can the relationship between snow-water equivalency and snowpack depth model or predict precipitation in our region?”

• “How does elevation of a snowpack affect the snow-water equivalency of snow layers?”

• “How does the aspect of a snowpack affect the snow-water equivalency of snow layers?”

• “How can snow-water equivalency of a snow pack be used to predict the volume of water available to a watershed during spring melting?”

Participation in this expedition is expected to promote student engagement and motivation for both healthy outdoor activities and STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) topics. Findings from the University of Idaho research will provide practical directions for future program development in Idaho schools that effectively explore the intersection of healthy outdoor activities and STEM education.

University of Idaho researchers from the College of Education kept track of the Expedition Team’s journey using a daily Adventure Learning blog site. To see more pictures, read daily student reflections and narratives, see the slideshows of the student presentations, and learn more about Adventure Learning here in Idaho, visit the expedition blog: www.alatbrundage.wordpress.com

By Susan Stuntzner