Outdoor science learning and nature connection during COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic presents so much more than a challenge to outdoor science learning. Bird School Project honors the struggle of all those who are currently facing severe hardship during this world-wide health crisis. As humanity is learning how to best exist during these challenging times, Bird School is focused on contributing to solutions for teachers and students in distance-learning situations. We aim to promote activities that emphasize self care, student- and nature-centered learning, and the new norms of social distancing. If you are looking for resources that can support distance learning about birds, nature, and life science, please check this page regularly in the upcoming months as we continue to update it. Despite the inability to offer our normal, schoolyard programming, Bird School is committed to supporting our community.

 
 

Birds in my culture webinar

Join a panel of local birders and hear an amazing discussion of:

1) Where do you see birds in your life?

2) Where do you see birds in popular culture and your own culture?

First videos are here!

BSP and Friends help answer student questions pt. 1

During our schoolyard program, BSP instructors guide students to answer their own questions through observation of wild birds. However, sometimes students ha...
 

Our favorite apps

  • Merlin Bird ID is an app put out by Cornell that is perfect for anyone just getting started with birding. We encourage all of our students to download it on Day 1.

  • iBird Pro is the most comprehensive bird app that we have found. It comes complete with range maps, fun facts, sound clips, and great photos.

  • Citizen science is easier than ever with the eBird smartphone app. Download it and submit your observations immediately in the field!

Field Guides we USe

  • The Local Yard & Garden Birds Guides from John Muir Laws are perfect for younger kids and folks just starting on their birding adventure. Very basic, easy to use, and affordable for teachers. These are the guides we use with classes.

  • The National Geographic Field Guides are done extremely well. Great illustrations and a new quick reference guide in the back makes things easy in the field.

  • The Sibley Field Guides are another great option. Detailed illustrations and well organized. Also check out David Allen Sibley's "Birding Basics" book.