(gr. 4-6)

This course will teach students how Nebraska's natural and historical wonders shape our state's identity, and how we can protect them for future generations.

Big Idea & Essential Question

• Big Idea: Nebraska is home to unique natural and historical landmarks, but these sites face challenges that impact their preservation.

• Essential Question: How can we balance progress and preservation while protecting Nebraska’s wonders?

Learning Objectives

By the end of this unit, students will:

1. Analyze different perspectives on the importance of Nebraska’s landmarks (PACE: Point of View).

2. Investigate the historical and environmental significance of the 7 Wonders of Nebraska (PACE: Assumptions & Evidence).

3. Predict the consequences of environmental and human impact (PACE: Consequences).

4. Propose solutions to preserve Nebraska’s wonders while promoting tourism and sustainability.

Online Resources for Rural Access

Virtual Tours & Interactive Maps

📍 Nebraska Tourism Interactive Map – https://visitnebraska.com/map
📍 Google Earth Tour of Nebraska Landmarks – https://earth.google.com/web
📍 National Park Service: Nebraska Monuments – https://www.nps.gov/state/ne/index.htm
📍 Nebraska Studies (History & Geography for Students) – https://nebraskastudies.org

Research & Primary Sources

📜 Nebraska Historical Society Digital Archives – https://history.nebraska.gov
📜 Library of Congress: Nebraska Historic Sites – https://www.loc.gov/maps/?fa=location:nebraska
📜 Smithsonian: Nebraska Fossils & Natural History – https://naturalhistory.si.edu/education

Conservation & Environmental Studies

🌿 Nebraska Game & Parks Conservation Efforts – https://outdoornebraska.gov
🌿 The Nature Conservancy: Nebraska Projects – https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/united-states/nebraska
🌿 National Geographic Kids – Preserving Landmarks – https://kids.nationalgeographic.com

The 7 Wonders of Nebraska (Example List)

1. Carhenge – A replica of England’s Stonehenge, built from cars. - 🔗 https://visitnebraska.com/alliance/carhenge

2. Toadstool Geologic Park – Unique rock formations shaped over millions of years. - 🔗 https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/nebraska/recarea/?recid=10616

3. Scotts Bluff National Monument – A landmark for pioneers on the Oregon Trail. - 🔗 https://www.nps.gov/scbl/index.htm

4. Chimney Rock – A famous natural rock formation and landmark for settlers. - 🔗 https://history.nebraska.gov/?s=chimney+rock

5. Sandhill Crane Migration – One of the world’s greatest wildlife migrations. - 🔗 https://cranetrust.org

6. Niobrara River – A scenic, biologically diverse river. - 🔗 https://www.nps.gov/niob/index.htm

7. Ashfall Fossil Beds – A site of prehistoric fossils preserved by volcanic ash. - 🔗 https://ashfall.unl.edu

Virtual Field Trips

• UNL Virtual Ag Tours

• NASA Earth Science for Kids

Guest Speakers (Virtual or Local)

• Nebraska Game & Parks Rangers

• Tribal Elders & Cultural Leaders

• University of Nebraska Conservation Scientists

Extension: Legislative Advocacy

• Research Nebraska environmental policies & propose new conservation laws.

• Activity:

  • Students research one Nebraska wonder using the Nebraska Historical Society Archives.

  • Use primary sources and maps to analyze change over time (PACE: Evidence).

• Guest Speaker (Optional): Virtual session with a Nebraska State Park Ranger via Nebraska Game & Parks.

• DOK Level 4 Question: How have natural and human factors shaped the evolution of Nebraska’s wonders over time?

Local Ecosystem Threats Analysis

Activity:

• Students research conservation challenges using Nebraska Game & Parks Conservation Reports.

• Create a cause-and-effect chain linking human activities (pollution, climate change, farming, tourism) to environmental consequences.

• Explore NASA Climate Change Data to connect local conservation to global issues.

DOK 4 Question:
How does the interaction between natural ecosystems and human activity create both challenges and opportunities for conservation?

Resource Links:

• Water Conservation in Nebraska – Nebraska Natural Resources District

• The Nature Conservancy’s Nebraska Water Projects

• STEM Challenge:

  • Students use Google Slides or Canva to design a sustainable tourism or conservation plan.

  • Incorporate strategies from National Park Service: Nebraska (PACE: Evidence & Consequences).

• DOK Level 4 Question: How can we design policies that promote tourism without harming natural and historical sites?

Hands-On Conservation Challenge

Activity:

• Students design a "Sustainable Tourism Plan" using principles of conservation.

• Explore land stewardship models used by Nebraska’s Indigenous communities (Native Lands Map).

• Build a DIY water filtration system to understand local water conservation efforts (STEM Water Filtration Project).

DOK 4 Question:
How can engineering and design be used to create sustainable solutions for preserving natural wonders while still allowing public access?

Resource Links:

• USDA Conservation Programs in Nebraska

• Nebraska Land Trust Conservation Strategies

For a long-term impact, students will:
✅ Identify a local conservation issue.
✅ Research data and interview experts.
✅ Propose a realistic solution (e.g., planting pollinator gardens, water conservation awareness, school recycling initiative).
✅ Present findings to community leaders or park officials for potential implementation.

DOK 4 Reflection:
What are the long-term consequences of our actions, and how can individuals and communities take responsibility for preserving Nebraska’s wonders?

Precision Agriculture & Soil Conservation

• Use satellite imaging and AI-driven farming to reduce soil erosion and optimize crop rotation.

• Interactive Tool: Global Soil Health Index

DOK 4 Question:
How can Nebraska farmers balance food production with environmental sustainability using precision agriculture?

Smart Water Conservation Technologies

• Explore aquifer management & water sensors in Nebraska’s Ogallala Aquifer.

• Hands-On Simulation:

  • Use Project WET Water Simulation to track water consumption and design efficient irrigation models.

DOK 4 Question:
What are the long-term consequences of overusing Nebraska’s water resources, and how can technology help us manage them sustainably?

Students explore water conservation through STEM-based solutions and Indigenous water stewardship.

Resources:

• Project WET Water Simulation

• Global Soil Health Index

• UNL Water Resources

Hands-On Lab:

• Simulate groundwater depletion using a sponge and water to represent the Ogallala Aquifer.

• Use NASA satellite data to track water levels over time.

Biodiversity Monitoring with AI & Citizen Science

• Use drones and AI to track wildlife populations and habitat changes in Nebraska’s grasslands and wetlands.

• Engage in real-world data collection via iNaturalist.

DOK 4 Question:
How can artificial intelligence and citizen science help conservationists monitor and protect endangered species in Nebraska?

Resources:

• iNaturalist (Citizen Science Data Collection)

• Drones & Conservation

• National Geographic AI & Wildlife

Hands-On Lab:

• Use AI-powered wildlife tracking tools to analyze biodiversity data.

• Create a digital habitat restoration plan using Google Earth.