Vernal Pools:
Not Just a Mud
Puddle!
Vernal Pond 1
The Pond People:
Lauren Bergh
Michelle Hofmann
Kristen Swanberg
Rosalie Faubon
Amanda Hartman

Participants will learn that the life cycles of a vernal pool includes the pool itself and the unique animals and plants that exist there.

• Participants will:
– Be able to define a vernal pool and state its importance
– Name two animals who depend on vernal pools
– Describe the life cycle of one obligate
(dependent) animal

Science Content:
-Life cycles
Site-Specific Content:
-Vernal pools
-Vernal pool shrimp
-Vernal pool amphibian
Science Tools:
-Field guide (audio/visual)
-Maps - Models
-Magnification - Dip nets
-Live Animals - Cameras
-Thermometer
Documentation:
-Life cycle diagrams
-Field journal
-ejournal (optional)

• Assumptions:
– High school education
• Accommodations / Modifications:
– Age-related limitations (a)
– Blind/low vision (b)
– Cognitive (c)

• Power point presentation
– High-contrast
– White space
– Six-by-six
– Line-by-line (fly in)
• Assisted listening devices
• Name badges
• Clip boards with pencils attached
• Room safety

• Introduction (power point)
– Program logistics (a, b, c)
• Program Schedule
• Room safety

• What is a vernal pool?
– Definition: words and pictures (a, b, c)
• Unique, rare, lacks inlet/outlet
• Cycles of a vernal pool (seasonal photos)
– Activity: Tactile maps (a, b, c)
– Holding water: words/pictures (a, b, c)
– Activity: Sediment investigation (a, b, c)

• Vernal Pool Animal: Frog
– Identification: words and pictures ( a, b, c)
– Activity: adult frog model (a, b, c)
– Life cycle: words and pictures
– Activity: life cycle models (a, b, c)
• 5 phases in tactile models
– Activity: life cycle handout
• Photo/label stickers

• Vernal Pool Animal: Fairy Shrimp
– Identification: words and pictures (a, b, c)
– Activity: adult shrimp model (a, b, c)
– Life cycle: words and pictures
– Activity: life cycle models (a, b, c)
• 3 phases in tactile models
– Activity: life cycle handout
• Photo/label stickers

• Visit a vernal pool!
• Water safety
• Field guide: poster/communication board and audio
– Field journal (a, b, c)
• Pictures/labels on clip board
• Date/season, time of day, weather, temp. (air/water)
– Activity: Dip net (a, b, c)
• Examine catch with field magnification tool
• Check-list in Field Journal
– Activity: Photograph Vernal Pool
• Photo of pool, dip net, frog

Lesson Plan:
Inclement Weather
• Activity: Animals in classroom aquariums
– Lab (Field) journal (a, b, c)
• Pictures/labels on clip board
• Date/season, time of day, weather, temp.
(air/water)
– Activity: Photograph Vernal Pool Animals
• Ken-A-Vision scope
• Photo of frog, shrimp (or equivalent)
– Activity: Touch animals

• “Not just a mud puddle!”
– Review objectives:
• Be able to define a vernal pool and state its importance
• Name two animals who depend on vernal pools
• Describe the life cycle of one obligate (dependent) animal

• Cognitive
– Printed slides
– Modified field guide
– Models instead of live animals
– One life cycle
– “stand here” footprints

• Blind/Low Vision
– Audio calls (for frog ID)
– Foam tactile map
– Magnification devices
– “Talking” tools
– Sediment activity
– Models
– Large print (power point and field guide/journal)

• Age Related Limitations
– Assistive listening devices
– Modified dip net
– Combination of any of those previously mentioned as needed

• Enhanced program
– Citizen science
• Seasonal program /semi-annual
– Ecosystem approach
• GPS mapping of vernal pool
• Create a new vernal pool
• Examine more species of animals, include plants

• Life Cycle of a Frog
– Focus on life cycle
– Tactile, oversized models of each life cycle stage
– Live tadpoles/frogs in lab
– Activity: Participants fill in the life cycle using stickers and/or stamps