Research Quest Blog
April 2026 Newsletter
Teacher Testimonial
"First, it is a great resource for students to experience the curriculum in a real life setting. Second, it gives students an opportunity to experience a part of Utah that many of them have never experienced before or may never get the opportunity to experience; the investigation is like a field trip in the classroom."Benjamin Sherman, Riverdale, Utah
Celebrating 10 Years of Research Quest—Thanks to You!
This year, the Natural History Museum of Utah’s free, award-winning Research Quest marks two exciting milestones: 10 years of bringing real science into classrooms—and over 1 million learning sessions worldwide!
What started as a bold idea to connect students with real museum research has grown into 15 engaging investigations spanning ecology, paleontology, and archaeology—now reaching classrooms across six continents.
And it wouldn’t be possible without you. Thank you for making Research Quest part of your classroom learning and for helping students think like scientists every day. We’re so glad you’re on this journey with us!
Teaching Tip
What if your students told the story of an ecosystem instead of just reporting on it? This month’s video considers how using Research Quest’s Uinta Mountains investigations can connect life science standards with ELA standards through narrative and informational writing.
Instead of a traditional lab report, students might:
- Write from the perspective of a Lodgepole pine under attack
- Tell the story of a growing mountain pine beetle population
- Explain ecosystem changes through creative, evidence-based writing
This simple shift helps students:
- Demonstrate deeper understanding of ecosystem relationships
- Strengthen writing skills in authentic contexts
- Engage more fully in scientific thinking and communication
Memorable Moments
"Students liked that they could show their individual perspective. I recognized learning when we would go into the field and students would be discussing or pointing out evidence of pine beetles on dead wood, or recognize the energy flow within an ecosystem."
Neva Telford, Rexburg, Idaho
Investigation Spotlight
What Drives Decomposition?
What happens when a montane ecosystem starts to shift?
How long does decomposition take?
Why is matter cycling faster in some ecosystems than others?
How do human activities affect decomposition and matter cycling?
In What Drives Decomposition? students examine the role of fungi as decomposers in the matter cycle. With engaging interactives they will study the factors that drive faster rates of decomposition and how human activities impact these ecosystem services.
LEARN MORE HERE.
Educator Spotlight
For Aidan Baller, a teacher at Oak Canyon Junior High in Lindon, Utah, Research Quest has been a valuable way to engage students in deeper scientific thinking. Aidan’s 7th-grade class had the opportunity to use Research Quest last year, and it quickly became a favorite resource.
“Research Quest is a great resource to use in class! My 7th graders loved it, and it required them to use critical thinking in order to work through the investigation. My favorite part is that it helped them think like scientists.” (To read more from Aidan go here.)
Educator Advice
“I do like to break up Research Quest investigations with some whole class activities - for instance, I give the students cards with the animals in the ecosystem to create a food web before they evaluate the energy flow. We also take a day to dissect owl pellets so they can connect that energy flow to something they can hold in their hands.” Tiffnie Barlow, South Jordan, Utah