Congaree National Park

Congaree:  The largest old growth bottomland hardwood forest left in the United States.

I absolutely LOVE national parks.  In fact, one of the things that tops my bucket list is to visit all 58 national parks!  This past week end I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to mark another national park off my list:  Congaree National Park.

Located near Columbia, South Carolina, this floodplain forest lies along the Congaree and Wateree rivers.  The park protects over 26,000 acres of old growth bottomland hardwood forest.  This is a wetland system and the vitality of the area depends upon the flooding and receding of the rivers with seasonal rains. Until the late 1800s huge areas of South Carolina were covered by these floodplain forests, but in the 1880s the lumber industry began to harvest the trees.  In less than 50 years most of these forests had been cut.  The area now protected by this national park was spared cutting because logging was especially difficult in this area.

Congaree National Park is known for its unusual array of giant trees that hold the record for size of their species.  Species include loblolly pines, hickories, and bald cypress.  The combination of loblolly pines with hardwoods is an uncommon forest association in floodplains.

Bald cypress trees grow in abundance at Congaree.  The largest bald cypress in the park is over 27 feet in circumference.  The cypress trees thrive in this area despite their strict growth requirements.  Look for the characteristic wide trunk base and cypress knees.  This gives the tree stability during floods.  The bald cypress is different from most conifers in that they shed their needles each winter.  The "knees" are roots that have grown upward.  Their function is not completely understood, but may help anchor the tree in the soft soil.

Loblolly pine and two daughters
who eagerly share in all of my "mom" adventures.

My favorite is the loblolly pine.  Unlike most pines, the loblolly can thrive in this wet ecosystem.  The tallest in the park is over 170 feet and has a circumference of over 15 feet.

Congaree became a protected area in 1976 when a public campaign was launched to protect it from logging.  It obtained National Park status in 2003.

Hiking through this old growth forest was a snap. The boardwalks and trails are well maintained.  Signs and directional arrows are placed in such as way as to provide excellent information without being overly intrusive. There are many different trails to choose from, ranging in length from 1 to 12 miles.  The photo collages below will give you an idea of some of the highlights of our walk.

I especially loved the activities designed for the kids.  A science teacher living in this area would be remiss not to take advantage of this marvelous field trip opportunity.  The brochures for children are attractive, engaging and provide fun and informational activities.

While perhaps lacking the grandeur of Yellowstone, Grand Canyon or Yosemite National Parks, I enjoyed visiting Congaree National Park very much! My only regret is that the visitors center was closed on the Sunday that we visited.

Now to find that next national park to mark off my bucket list........

Respiratory System Warm Ups and Interactive Notebook Pages

These snazzy new warm ups, bellringers and interactive notebook pages on the respiratory system will take your breath away!!  

(Cue up the canned laughter....)  All corny jokes aside, I am very excited to share my newest set of interactive notebook pages with you.  I am slowly but surely working my way through the human body systems.  This set of 19 student pages covers the respiratory system.  The following pictures and images will give you the best idea of what is included in this newest product.

Click on any image below to view the product in my TpT store.

This product can be purchased individually, or as part of a growing bundle. This is the first time that I have tried out the idea of a "growing bundle."  I have many return customers who are eagerly awaiting the completion of all of the human body system warm ups.  In the past, I have bundled together many sets to offer at a discounted price.  Many people have requested that I give them the opportunity to buy the bundle from the very beginning.  So I have tried to honor that request by offering this growing bundle.

What is a growing bundle?  A “growing bundle” is a bundle of products that is being posted to my store before all of the individual products are complete. As the new individual products are developed, they will be added to the bundle.  With this “growing bundle” I am offering you the option of buying the bundle before the completion of the individual products.  

As of this writing, the bundle contains:

•  Introduction to the Human Body

•  The Skeleton System

•  The Muscular System

•  The Integumentary System

•  The Circulatory System

•  The Respiratory System

The rest of the of the human body systems will be added to the bundle as I get them completed.  Click the image below to view the growing bundle in my TpT store.

I hope that you are having a restful and relaxing summer.  Take time to recharge and regain your sanity because the new school year will be upon us soon!

More Human Body Warm Ups and Bell Ringers for High School Biology

Build a complete human body review routine with these related blog posts featuring warm up activities for high school biology.

• Biology warm ups and bell ringers
• Excretory system warm ups and bell ringers
• Nervous system warm ups and bell ringers
• Immune system warm ups and bell ringers
• Human body interactive notebook pages and warm ups
• Respiratory system warm ups and bell ringers
• Circulatory system warm ups and bell ringers
• Skeletal, muscular, and integumentary system warm ups
• Endocrine System warm ups and bell ringers
• Digestive System arm ups and bell ringers

Science History Calendars and Daily Science Facts for the Classroom

Have you ever started class with a question like, "What happened today in science history?" Students are often surprised to learn that on this very date a vaccine was declared safe, a spacecraft was launched, a famous scientist was born, or a groundbreaking discovery was announced.

Bringing science history into the classroom is a simple way to spark curiosity and help students see that science is not just a collection of facts in a textbook. Science is an ongoing story of discoveries, inventions, experiments, and people who changed our understanding of the world.

One of my favorite ways to incorporate science history into my classroom is through Science History Calendars. Each day features a different scientist, discovery, invention, medical breakthrough, space exploration milestone, or important event in science history. Students quickly develop a habit of checking the calendar to see what happened on that date.

Why Use a Science Fact of the Day?

The first few minutes of class are valuable. Whether you use warm ups, bell ringers, discussion questions, or attendance time, a daily science fact can help students transition into learning mode while exposing them to fascinating scientific events they may never encounter in the standard curriculum.

A science fact of the day routine can:

• Build student curiosity about science and technology
• Create natural opportunities for classroom discussion
• Connect current lessons to real scientific discoveries
• Introduce students to famous scientists and inventors
• Reinforce the idea that science is constantly evolving
• Provide a quick, low-prep classroom routine

Many of the events included in these calendars connect directly to topics taught in biology, chemistry, physics, earth science, and environmental science classes. Students discover that the scientists they are studying in class appear elsewhere on the calendar through important discoveries, inventions, awards, or historical milestones.

Using Science History in the Classroom

There are many ways to incorporate science history into your classroom beyond simply posting a calendar on the wall.

You might use the daily event as a discussion starter at the beginning of class. Other options are to use it as a quick writing prompt, a bell ringer activity, or an opportunity for students to make connections between the historical event and the topic they are currently studying.

The calendars also work well as:

• Science bulletin board displays
• Hallway displays outside your classroom
• Science fact of the day announcements
• Substitute teacher activities
• Morning work or homeroom activities
• Discussion starters for science clubs

If you are already using biology warm ups and bell ringers, adding a daily science history fact is an easy way to increase student engagement without adding additional preparation time.

What Happened Today in Science History?

One of the reasons students enjoy these calendars is that every day brings something new and unexpected.

For example, students might discover that:

• Edward Jenner performed the first smallpox vaccination.
• The Salk polio vaccine was declared safe.
• Neil Armstrong walked on the Moon.
• The first human liver transplant was performed.
• Leeuwenhoek observed microscopic "animalcules" using one of the earliest microscopes.
• The Opportunity rover landed on Mars.

These moments help students understand that science is shaped by real people making discoveries that changed the world.

Science history also helps students see connections between different scientific disciplines. A single month might include events related to genetics, medicine, chemistry, astronomy, environmental science, engineering, and technology.

365 Daily Science Facts for the Entire School Year

These printable Science History Calendars include a different science fact, scientist, discovery, invention, or historical event for every day of the year.

The calendars begin in July and continue through June of the following year, making them easy to use throughout the entire school year.

Each month features a variety of topics including:

• Important scientific discoveries
• Medical breakthroughs
• Space exploration milestones
• Famous scientists and inventors
• Environmental events
• Engineering achievements
• Technology innovations

Because the calendars are updated annually, teachers can continue using them year after year without having to purchase a new version.

Science Calendars for Bulletin Boards and Hallway Displays

One of my favorite ways to use these calendars is as a classroom bulletin board display.

Students often stop to read the day's event before class begins, and many return later to share additional information they had found about the scientist or discovery. These daily science facts can also be used alongside activities such as my Science Chat first day of school activity.

The calendars also work well in hallways, media centers, science department displays, and STEM classrooms. They provide an easy way to expose students to important dates in science history throughout the year.

For teachers looking to create a more organized classroom, these calendars are also included in my Science Teacher Binder and Organizational System.

You may also enjoy these classroom organization ideas: Need Help With Organization? Try These Tips and Tricks.

Frequently Asked Questions

What grade levels are these science calendars designed for?

The calendars work well for grades 7–12 and can easily be adapted for middle school science, high school biology, chemistry, physics, environmental science, and general science courses.

Can I use these calendars as a science fact of the day?

Absolutely. Many teachers use the calendars as a daily science fact routine, discussion starter, bell ringer, or classroom warm up activity.

Do the calendars cover the entire year?

Yes. The calendars begin in July and continue through June, providing a full year of science history facts and events.

Are the calendars updated each year?

Yes. The calendar grids are updated annually, and previous purchasers can download the updated version at no additional cost.

You Might Also Like

• Science Chat: A First Day of School Science Activity
• Words to Live By From Famous Scientists
• End of Year Science Activities

If you are looking for a simple way to bring science history into your classroom, encourage student curiosity, and create daily discussions, these Science History Calendars provide 365 opportunities to explore the people, discoveries, and events that shaped modern science.

Whether you use them as a science fact of the day, bulletin board display, hallway display, or discussion starter, they are an easy addition to any science classroom.