Environmental Education Center at University of Rhode Island's W. Alton Jones Campus

NIGHT HIKE

GOAL:
Explore the world at night and learn about nocturnal wildlife and their adaptations.

OBJECTIVES:

● Learn about nocturnal animals and their adaptations.

● Experience how our senses are different at night and the changes that occur to the human eye.

● Identify various components of the evening sky.

● Become more comfortable in and gain appreciation for the forest at night.

CONCEPTS/TOPICS:

● Nocturnal
● Diurnal
● Crepuscular
● Adaptation
● Echolocation
● Photoreceptors
● Rod and cone cells
● Night vision
● Bioluminescence
● Triboluminescence
● Constellations

After completing this lesson the aim is for students to be able to:

● Define nocturnal and give at least three examples of nocturnal organisms.

● Define adaptation and give examples of nocturnal adaptations.

● Briefly explain the process of echolocation in bats.

● Define photoreceptors and explain the two types found in the mammalian eye (rods, cones).

● Identify the moon phase if visible for the evening of the night hike.

  School Brochure

  Printable Goals

  Info Request

Online Forms