Facts to the Future – Vol. 5 No. 1
This Natural Inquirer edition discusses the condition of United States' natural resources in the year 2000, as well as how these conditions may change by the year 2040. In the year 2040, how old will you be? Do you think that the condition of the Nation's renewable natural resources will be important to our society in 2040? Why or why not? The articles in this journal will help you to think about the future of global climate change, the Nation's wildlife, our freshwater, our fish, the trees that grow in our cities and towns, and the conditions that tell us whether our forests and rangelands are healthy. As you read the articles, remember that it is hard to predict the future. Although scientists do the best job they can, many things can change in the future.
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Highlights
- 6 Articles
- 12 Activities
- Glossary
- Lesson Plan
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Most scientists think that evidence from different studies shows that our global climate is changing in many ways, such as getting warmer, more rain falling in shorter amounts of time,...Where in the World Is Carbon Dioxide? The Potential Impact of Rising Levels of Carbon Dioxide on U.S. Forests
Most scientists think that evidence from different studies shows that our global climate is changing in many ways, such as getting warmer, more rain falling in shorter amounts of time,... -
In this study, the scientist was asked to predict how much fresh water people living in the United States will use from the year 2000 to the year 2040.Do What You Water: The Current Situation and Possible Future of Fresh Water in the United States
In this study, the scientist was asked to predict how much fresh water people living in the United States will use from the year 2000 to the year 2040. -
Animals play an important role in maintaining the health of our natural environment. It is important to know the status of different kinds of animal populations, both now and into...Born To Be Wild: The Current Situation and Possible Future of Wildlife in the United States
Animals play an important role in maintaining the health of our natural environment. It is important to know the status of different kinds of animal populations, both now and into... -
The scientists in this study were asked to determine the current status of urban forests in the United States.Made in the Shade: The Current Situation and Possible Future of U.S. Urban Forests
The scientists in this study were asked to determine the current status of urban forests in the United States. -
The scientists in this study were asked to develop information about the status of and trends in aquatic animal species populations across the United States.One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish–No Fish? The Current Situation and Possible Future of Aquatic Animals in the United States
The scientists in this study were asked to develop information about the status of and trends in aquatic animal species populations across the United States. -
The scientists in this study were asked to identify which areas of forest and rangeland in the United States might become more stressed in the future.Stress Test: The Condition and Possible Future of Forests and Rangelands in the United States
The scientists in this study were asked to identify which areas of forest and rangeland in the United States might become more stressed in the future.
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The question you will answer in this FACTivity is: Does it take much of a change in climate to cause a change in the type of vegetation growing in an...FACTivity – Where in the World is Carbon Dioxide?
The question you will answer in this FACTivity is: Does it take much of a change in climate to cause a change in the type of vegetation growing in an... -
Test your knowledge of plants, climate, and weather with a word search.Word Search – Where in the World Is Carbon Dioxide?
Test your knowledge of plants, climate, and weather with a word search. -
The question you will answer in this FACTivity is: How much fresh water do you use during a typical day at home?FACTivity – Do What You Water
The question you will answer in this FACTivity is: How much fresh water do you use during a typical day at home? -
Test your knowledge of freshwater and the scientific process with a word search.Word Search – Do What You Water
Test your knowledge of freshwater and the scientific process with a word search. -
The question students will answer in the FACTivity is: What are the advantages and disadvantages of different ways to protect an endangered animal species from dying out?FACTivity – Born to Be Wild
The question students will answer in the FACTivity is: What are the advantages and disadvantages of different ways to protect an endangered animal species from dying out? -
Test your knowledge of habitats, ecosystems, and wildlife with a word search.Word Search – Born to Be Wild
Test your knowledge of habitats, ecosystems, and wildlife with a word search. -
The question you will answer in this FACTivity is: How does being in the shade affect how hot you feel?FACTivity – Made in the Shade
The question you will answer in this FACTivity is: How does being in the shade affect how hot you feel? -
Test your science knowledge with a word search.Word Search – Made in the Shade
Test your science knowledge with a word search. -
The question you will answer by doing this FACTivity is: What is the status and probable future of a current environmental condition or event? The method you will use to...FACTivity – One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish–No Fish?
The question you will answer by doing this FACTivity is: What is the status and probable future of a current environmental condition or event? The method you will use to... -
Test your knowledge of freshwater, aquatic species, habitat, and conservation with a word search.Word Search – One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish–No Fish?
Test your knowledge of freshwater, aquatic species, habitat, and conservation with a word search. -
The question you will answer in this FACTivity is: What is the environmental condition of the land around your school? You will decide on a group of indicators to use...FACTivity – Stress Test
The question you will answer in this FACTivity is: What is the environmental condition of the land around your school? You will decide on a group of indicators to use... -
Test your knowledge of forests, rangelands, habitats, and conservation with a word search.Word Search – Stress Test
Test your knowledge of forests, rangelands, habitats, and conservation with a word search. -
Who or What Am I? After reading Facts to the Future, see if you can solve these riddles!
Glossary
View All GlossaryClassroom Review Board
Mr. Todd Nickelsen’s 8th Grade Class
- Coile Middle School
- Athens, GA
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Tony Baltic
View Profile -
Richard Birdsey
I like being a scientist because it is exciting to be involved in research that could help solve climate change, which is a global problem. It is quite a thrill...View Profile -
Thomas Brown
My favorite science experience happened before I was a scientist. I was a Peace Corps volunteer in rural Paraguay, in the heart of South America. I had grown up in...View Profile -
John Dwyer
I like being a scientist because I like learning new things and sharing them with people who can use them.View Profile -
Curtis Flather
I like being a scientist because it is essentially problem solving, and, in my case, the problems deal with the conservation of wildlife. Working on wildlife conservation problems can be...View Profile -
John Hof
I like being a scientist because I enjoy using both math and science to solve problems.View Profile -
Linda Joyce
I like being a scientist because I can explore how ecosystems work and use the power of mathematics to describe the processes in ecosystems.View Profile -
Andrew Loftus
I like being a scientist because it gives me a chance to explore new things and use what I discover to change the way we manage the environment.View Profile -
Mary Heather Noble
I like being a scientist because it allows me to understand, appreciate, and take an active role in protecting our beautiful natural environment.View Profile -
David Nowak
I like being a scientist because it allows me to answer questions that have never been answered before.View Profile -
Susan Sisinni
I like being a scientist because my job is defined by my imagination. This means I get to explore the world and sometimes learn things that no one else knew...View Profile
Note To Educators
The Forest Service's Mission
The Forest Service’s mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the Nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations. For more than 100 years, our motto has been “caring for the land and serving people.” The Forest Service, an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), recognizes its responsibility to be engaged in efforts to connect youth to nature and to promote the development of science-based conservation education programs and materials nationwide.
What Is the Natural Inquirer?
Natural Inquirer is a science education resource journal to be used by students in grade 6 and up. Natural Inquirer contains articles describing environmental and natural resource research conducted by Forest Service scientists and their cooperators. These scientific journal articles have been reformatted to meet the needs of middle school students. The articles are easy to understand, are aesthetically pleasing to the eye, contain glossaries, and include hands-on activities. The goal of Natural Inquirer is to stimulate critical reading and thinking about scientific inquiry and investigation while teaching about ecology, the natural environment, and natural resources.
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Meet the Scientists
Introduces students to the scientists who did the research. This section may be used in a discussion about careers in science.
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What Kinds of Scientist Did This Research?
Introduces students to the scientific disciplines of the scientists who conducted the research.
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Thinking About Science
Introduces something new about the scientific process, such as a scientific habit of mind or procedures used in scientific studies.
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Thinking About the Environment
Introduces the environmental topic being addressed in the research.
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Introduction
Introduces the problem or question that the research addresses.
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Method
Describes the method the scientists used to collect and analyze their data.
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Findings & Discussion
Describes the results of the analysis. Addresses the findings and places them into the context of the original problem or question.
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Reflection Section
Presents questions aimed at stimulating critical thinking about what has been read or predicting what might be presented in the next section. These questions are placed at the end of each of the main article sections.
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Number Crunches
Presents an easy math problem related to the research.
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Glossary
Defines potentially new scientific or other terms to students. The first occurrence of a glossary word is bold in the text.
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Citation
Gives the original article citation with an internet link to the original article.
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FACTivity
Presents a hands-on activity that emphasizes something presented in the article.
Science Education Standards
You will find a listing of education standards which are addressed by each article at the back of each publication and on our website.
We Welcome Feedback
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Contact
Jessica Nickelsen
Forest Service -
Email
Lessons
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In this study, the scientist was asked to predict how much fresh water people living in the United States will use from the year 2000 to the year 2040.
Do What You Water: The Current Situation and Possible Future of Fresh Water in the United States
In this study, the scientist was asked to predict how much fresh water people living in the United States will use from the year 2000 to the year 2040. -
In this lesson plan, students will assess the biological diversity of trees on their school grounds or another designated area. Students will be able to: observe identify, measure, transform, and...Lesson Plan – Urban Forests
In this lesson plan, students will assess the biological diversity of trees on their school grounds or another designated area. Students will be able to: observe identify, measure, transform, and...
