Meet OMSI Outdoor Science Education instructors on location for the hands-on, interactive programming that makes our outdoor science schools so popular. Schools are responsible for transportation to and from sites, chaperones at a 1:8 ratio and lunch.
Hike up to beautiful waterfalls in the Columbia River Gorge with an OMSI naturalist. Learn geology basics like plate tectonics, rock cycle, erosion and deposition through magnificent geologic events in Pacific Northwest history including the Columbia RIver basalts and the Missoula Floods. The class will focus on the ecological relationships between organisms in the temperate rainforest nestled here against the Cascade Mountain Range.
A minimum of 2 weeks' advance notice is required for all registration requests. If you have questions, please contact us at 503.797.4661 or
Structure and Function:
Describe and compare the properties and composition of the layers of Earth.
Describe the structure, function, and composition of Earth’s atmosphere, geosphere, and hydrosphere.
Interaction and Change:
Explain the interdependence of plants, animals, and environment, and how adaptation influences survival.
Explain the water cycle and the relationship to landforms and weather.
Explain how individual organisms and populations in an ecosystem interact and how changes in populations are related to resources.
Explain how landforms change over time at various rates in terms of constructive and destructive forces.
Describe the processes of Earth’s geosphere and the resulting major geological events.
Analyze evidence for geologic, climatic, environmental, and life form changes over time.
Explain how Earth’s atmosphere, geosphere, and hydrosphere change over time and at varying rates. Explain techniques used to elucidate the history of events on Earth.
Evaluate the impact of human activities on environmental quality and the sustainability of Earth systems. Describe how environmental factors influence resource management.