Marmots, ground squirrels, and bears are fascinating animals who hold answers to many health problems that humans face, such as obesity and bone loss. In the Secrets of the Hibernators STEM Kit, students will collect and analyze data using hands-on experiments to learn about how metabolism is moderated seasonally in hibernating animals and what challenges climate change will bring.
Big Concepts include: 1) nature of science; 2) metabolism; 3) hibernation; 4) bone structure; and 5) climate.
Scientific Inquiry Skills include: 1) graphing and analyzing data; 2) modeling hibernator metabolism vs. temperature; 3) analyzing bone structures using a microscope; and 4) use of science notebooks.
Secrets of the Hibernators STEM Kit Tutorials
- Yeast Solution Consistency (video coming soon)
- Using the Viney Apparatus (video coming soon)
- Secrets of the Hibernators STEM Kit Use Instructions (complete teacher guide)
- Secrets of the Hibernators STEM Kit Clean-Up & Repacking Instructions
- Secrets of the Hibernators STEM Kit Material List
Secrets of the Hibernators STEM Kit Resources
- Blank Body Mass Graph Templates
- Blank Yeast Experiment Table Templates
- Bear Bone Photomicrographs
- Science Notebook Template (for use in lieu of Science Notebooks)
- Science Notebook Template (Spanish version)
- Secrets of the Hibernators STEM Kit Instruction Booklet
(available upon request – email name and school to Dr. Andrew Warnock)
CSU Resources
- Faculty Collaborator: Dr. Gregory Florant – College of Natural Sciences, Department of Biology
Other Useful Resources
- Viney Apparatus 3D Model (.STL file)
- Trabecular Bone 3D Model
- Donahue Lab – University of Massachusetts, Amherst
Borrowing Secrets of the Hibernators STEM Kits
There is no charge to educators who wish to borrow any of our STEM kits. We appreciate applications be submitted at least 2 weeks in advance of the desired use date. The loan application forms require you to confirm your email address before it will be sent to the EOC – so once you click submit, check your email (including the junk folder)! You should also get a copy of the form for your records via email, if you don’t, please contact Courtney Gooding Butler (courtney.butler@colostate.edu).
- Local Pick-Up Loan Application Form – for educators in the immediate area of Fort Collins (i.e.: Greeley, Loveland, Ault, Windsor, Johnstown, etc.)
- Delivery Loan Application Form – for educators in Colorado outside of the immediate Fort Collins area
- Educator Feedback Survey – must be completed after returning kits to the NSEOC and before another kit can be requested
