Session Focus Questions
2025 SESSION FOCUS QUESTIONS
Amphibians as an environmental indicator species.
Douglas Holmes
Why amphibians are so important.
I can be part of the solution, by providing habitat and reducing my parents chemical usage.
Backyard Habitats
Wildlife Prairie Park
What lives in your backyard?
Choose Your Path and the Good Red Road
Eagle Ridge and Friends, Jo Lakota, Jimmy Lakota
What is the Good Red Road?
How will it help you make good choices?
Clean Water is the Goal - plants & politics!
Timothy Magner
What are major reasons why waterways in Illinois are polluted?
What are ways to prevent water pollution?
Clean Water: It’s for the Birds
Travis Wilcoxen
What are some of the things people release into the environment that can make birds sick?
Which birds are at greatest risk of becoming sick from dirty water?
Creating River Music, Songwriting with a Purpose
Barry Cloyd
Why is clean water essential? Will you carry the message in the song with you as you grow?
Diggin' Archaeology!
Dr. Dale F. Simpson Jr.
What is the difference between paleontology and archaeology?
What gear do archaeologists use to conduct fieldwork?
What types of materials do archaeologists find on excavations?
What are lithics and how do they inform us about Illinois archaeology?
Drinking Water - From Source to Tap
Trip Barton
1. Where does your tap water come from?
2. How does it get to your house?
Getting Active Outside: Why is Connecting with Nature and Disconnecting from Screens Important???
Shae Birkey
Why is being active (and passive) outdoors good for your physical and mental health?
How have humans evolved over time and why is being in nature good for us?
Healthy Soil makes Healthy Water and Healthy People
Valerie Wolfe
What is the process of water exiting a plant called?
What microorganism is found exiting on nearly every condition of the earth, and even in space?
Lichens!
Hiding in plain sight ? take a close look at amazing lichens
Zan Tomko
Name three components of a Lichen?
Where do Lichens live?
How citizen-scientists get the word out about Lichens
Session
Presenter
Questions
Native Plants - Native seed ball make and take
Rachel Mitchell
1. Why would planting native plants in your landscaping help conserve water and reduce water runoff?
2. How do native plants benefit local wildlife and insects?
Nicolina’s Turtle Co. - Youth Action in Conservation
Nicolina Pappas and team
What are some sustainable swaps that you could do every day?
What do you say when a restaurant tries to give you a plastic straw?
River Stories
Brian Fox Ellis
If you could travel the river through time, how might it change through the centuries?
What story could you tell if you traveled the river from your home to the sea; what sights might you see and what adventures might you have?
Storm Science
Nick Bartholomew
What is it like to chase a storm?
How does water play a role in extreme weather?
Students Taking Action: P2D2 and more!
Pontiac Township High School Environmental Science
Why is it important to dispose of pills properly?
Where can you find a disposal site for your medications?
How can you take action in your community?
The Diversity of Life in Illinois Waters
John Marino
What types of animals live in Illinois waters and why are they important?
How are the actions of people affecting living things in Illinois waters?
The History of Science, as Told by Mark Twain
Warren Brown
How did Sam Clemens, a.k.a. Mark Twain, contribute to the world of science and literature?
How did Mark Twain contribute to "clean water" in the United States, after his death?
Three R Gardening: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle to Grow a Garden
Ranae Pincock
What are the "Three R's" of sustainability, and how can each be applied to gardening?
What are some easy ways to start a garden using recycled materials?
Time Machine
Matt Jones
What are the names of some of the tribes mentioned in the presentation?
What are some of the geographical features and/or biomes mentioned in this presentation?
Water Cycle Adventures
Susie Ingram
1. Where did your 'water molecule' spend the most time in the water cycle?
2. Name one indigenous Illinois animal you met at this session that relies on clean water for survival.
Zoo Conservation
Peoria Zoo
Name one way the Peoria Zoo is saving alligator snapping turtles
Name one way you (the student) can help the alligator snapping turtle.