NSDL Online Science: Bringing the Field to the Classroom--Birds

Welcome

Robert Payo, National Science Digital Library

Colleen McLinn, Macaulay Library, Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Jennifer Schaus, Education Program, Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Presenters

Scientific method

1. Name the problem or question 

2. Form a hypothesis and make predictions based upon it

3. Test your hypothesis

4. Check and interpret your results 

5. Report your results

Discovery and learning as an ongoing process.

A more dynamic view of the scientific method

How Will You Answer Your Question? Scientist use different approaches for

different types of questions.

Conduct a Study

Analyze Existing Data

Synthesize Reference Information

Student Questions & Investigations

1. What type of birds visit our courtyard?

2. Will a fake cat scare birds away from a feeder?

3. How does the average count of crows change during the year?

4. What are some of the biggest survival threats to American Robins?

The National Science Digital Library (NSDL) http://nsdl.org

Digital libraries are a tool for supporting ongoing discovery and learning.

Why study birds?

• Birds are everywhere and easy to study

• Students are naturally captivated by bird song, flight, colors, and behaviors

• A context for the scientific process— observation, discovery, conclusions

• Lifelong learning and environmental awareness

Comfort level with birding?

Novice AdvancedBeginner Amateur

Teach content on birds in your curriculum?

Minimal to none

In-depth study

Part of a unit

Learning to Make Observations

Bird Quiz

http://www.realtime rendering.com/birds/birdquiz.html

Birdwatching: What to Look For

SizePostureShapeColorField MarksLocationHabitatSounds

Poll Question:

Which bird goes purdy, purdy, purdy?

Digital resources provide rich context

Citizen Science

• “Scientists can’t be everywhere, so kids from all over can record data and send it in.”

Heidi, grade 7

• “The more data you have, the more accurate the conclusions will be.”

Aaron, grade 8

Recording Results

Seeing Patterns

Bald Eagle

Not Reported

< 2%

2-10%

10-25%

25-50%

> 50%

Northern Mockingbird

Snow Goose

American Crow

Wood Thrush

Black-and-White Warbler

Northern Cardinal

J F M A M J J A S O N D

Date Range 1/1-12/31 2002-2006 Combined Years

Other Citizen Science Sites within NSDL

Journey North:

http://www.learner.org/jnorth/

Space for Species:http://www.spaceforspecies. ca/track_real_species/index.htm

Inquiry-based Study

NSDL Partnering Organizations

Scientific Method

Current Research

Visualizing Tools

Trusted Resources

Data

Access to Experts

Rich Media

Citizen Science

Go to http://nsdl.org and click on the K-12 audience page

• Download this seminar’s module

• Expert Voices feature with Cornell Lab of Ornithology scientist, Chris Jennelle

THANK YOU!Colleen McLinn

cmm252@cornell.edu

Jennifer Schausjms327@cornell.edu

Robert Payorpayo@nsdl.ucar.org

http://www.nsta.org/conferences

Midwestern Area

Conference October 19-21

Eastern Area Conference

November 2-4

Western Area Conference

December 7-9

NSTA Area Conferences on Science Education