This research project will define tthe taxonmy and distribution of tardigrades in the canopy and the herbivory of insects on a North American deciduous forest.
In the canopy students will measure the impact of micro and macro invertibrates on the habitat.
Students will be professionally trained to ascend into the canopy.

Water Bear Hunts

Presentations to the public will allow museum and arboretum visitors to learn about tardigrades and our research project.

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  • 8 Positions: 4 for students in wheelchairs
  • Apply by Friday, March 15, 2013
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In the Canopy >

Program Schedule

Week 1 June 2- 8

Training: Climbing, research, chemistry, tardigrade, CIS

Week 2 June 9-15

Bake Woods and Baker Wetlands

Week 3 June 16-22

Water bear hunt at the Overland Park Arboretum

Week 4 June 23-29

KU field station and forest

Week 5 June 30-July 6

KSU-Konza Prairie Long-Term Environmental Research Site

Week 6 July 7-13

Water bear hunt at the Missouri Botanical Garden

Week 7 July 14-20

Baker prairie and Blackjack

Week 8 July 21-27

SEM imaging at KU

Week 9 July 28-August 3

Presentation prep

Week 10 Aug 4-11

Presentations and water bear hunt, North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences

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A Water Bear Hunt

Public outreach, especially to kids who may one day decide to become scientists, is a critical part of the learning process for our students. Our water bear hunts will blend the charisma of tardigrades and the adventure of tree climbing into a public presentation.

In visitors centers of various facilities we will set up a table equipped with our microscopes and live water bears for the public to take a look at. Flanked by SEM images, posters and signage, we will attract the patrons of the museum or arboretum to ask questions and learn about our animals and National Science Federation project.

Where possible we will take visitors into the canopy to actually collect tardigrades from the tree tops.

We know from experience that both kids and their parents want to learn more about the animal that has recently survived exposure to true outer space. This element alone raises many questions about extreme survival, global warming, evolution and the fragility of life on earth.

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