EFarth Karst Karst Video

This 18-minute documentary explains how landforms in the Ozarks developed over the eons, resulting in numerous rivers, caves, and springs. The video also demonstrates how Ozark groundwater is vulnerable to nonpoint source pollution.

Viewers can enjoy dramatic footage of some of south central Missouri's best-known natural features, including Grand Gulf, Big Spring, Greer Spring, Mammoth Spring, and the Jacks Fork River, plus footage of caves, rare cave creatures, bluffs, and sinkholes.

Above: grotto salamander

Video Targets Grades 7-12

The fact-filled video is ideal for middle school and high school science classes. For showing to grades 4-6, occasionally pausing video for review and discussion is recommended.

Curriculum Dovetails with Missouri GLEs

Curriculum written to supplement the video is suitable for grades 7-12, with several lessons that can easily be adapted for grades 4-6. Lessons are hands-on, interactive, and meet numerous learning styles. Curriculum correlates with Missouri’s science grade level expectations (GLEs), covering geosphere, inquiry, and science impacts.

The curriculum contains six lessons plus a simple pre/post test. They cover: geological history of Missouri; identifying four common Ozark rocks (lab activity); researching threatened Ozark cave species; nonpoint source water pollution; taking a “wonder water walk” after a rain; and taking a home inventory to identify best and poor and practices for protecting groundwater.

Link to Curriculum

This photo and above photo by Vernon Gross
Above: Production crew shooting video inside Tumbling Creek Cave, Protem, Mo.

Link to Photo Gallery: Video crew on location at Grand Gulf, Mammoth Spring, and Tumbling Creek Cave.

More Links

Ozark National Scenic Riverways National Park

Biospeleology: Cave life

Ozark Cave Diving Alliance

Missouri Caves & Karst Conservancy

"Karst in the Ozarks" Credits
Producer and scriptwriter:
Denise Henderson Vaughn, Mountain View, Mo.
Curriculum writer:
Mary Ann Mutrux, Willow Springs, Mo.
Videographers and editors:
Neil and DeAnna Rosenbaum,
Somewhereinthewoods Productions, Mountain View, Mo.
Video project sponsor:
Ozarks Resource Center, West Plains, Mo.
Copyright 2010

Link to More Credits Complete credits as seen at video's end. Includes published reference materials.

Viewing and Copying Restrictions

The "Karst in the Ozarks" video may be viewed and downloaded free from this website. Curriculum materials may be printed and copied for classroom or other educational purposes. Both video and curriculum are copyrighted; they may not be otherwise reproduced, altered, or any part of them used in another production or put to any commercial use without written consent.

"Karst in the Ozarks" video released August 31, 2010

"Karst in the Ozarks" and accompanying curriculum was partially funded by the Environmental Protection Agency Region 7 through the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, under Section 319 of the Clean Water Act. MoDNR Subgrant G09-NPS-05