The Natural Inquirer
FIND Outdoors proudly partners with the Natural Inquirer to publish a variety of science education materials for students from Pre-K through grade 12
Meet the Natural Inquirer, a science education program that produces a variety of free products for kids from Pre-K to 12th grade. A partnership between FIND Outdoors and the Forest Service, the Natural Inquirer program seeks to inspire the next generation of natural resource scientists. Natural Inquirer journals are based on peer-reviewed research from Forest Service scientists and their collaborators. Other Natural Inquirer materials feature Forest Service careers and opportunities.
Explore their website for free publications, activities, coloring books, and educational resources. All materials are free to order, download, and ship!
Journals & Monographs
Middle/High School Level
FIND Outdoors helps create and produce a free science journal called Natural Inquirer that is written for middle and high school students. Natural Inquirer journals present research published by USDA Forest Service scientists and their collaborators and are written in the same format as adult scientific journals with Introduction, Methods, Findings, and Discussion sections. The journals cover a variety of topics from wildland fire to freshwater to citizen science to scientific modeling and more.
Nature Science Investigator (NSI)
Upper Elementary/Middle School Level
NSI: Nature Science Investigator (NSI) is a self-guided activity book for children ages 8-14. The booklet enables each student to become the scientist! Eleven scientists are highlighted, and children can complete 2-3 outdoor, hands-on activities for each scientist. All you need is a pencil! Use NSI in the schoolyard, at home, in the park, or at the campground.
Order print copies in English, or download NSI in English or Spanish, for free.
Natural Inquirer Coloring Books
Need an activity for a rainy day at the campground or after a long day hiking? Check out the Natural Inquirer coloring books. These coloring books introduce the work of natural resource and fire scientists. Coloring book pages can be downloaded and printed individually, or order print copies for free.
Moon Trees
Did you know FIND Outdoors stewards Moon Trees? Learn more about these Moon Trees that traveled to the Moon and back as seeds during the Apollo 14 and Artemis I missions. Order publications, download a coloring page, watch a virtual learning adventure, and print collector cards to learn more about this unique program.
Visit the Natural Inquirer website for FREE access to all of these resources and more!
