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A bioblitz can offer students a unique hands-on learning experience that will make them more aware of the amount of biodiversity in their neighborhood and will teach them to identify new species. Communities will benefit from the events as well – neighbors can gain a greater awareness of what’s in their backyards, and perhaps even become better connected to the natural world that surrounds them!
Animals are a common interest among children. Whether they’re in love with cats of all shapes and sizes or fascinated by the destructive power of a shark’s jaws, children can learn a lot through having an interest in creatures. In utilizing the numerous animal-related community-based learning resources available locally, families can support children of all ages in learning about everything from biological classification to compassion. Summer opens up these opportunities and is the perfect time to seek out animal demonstrations, visit the zoo, or learn about biology through volunteering at a shelter.
Just in time for the awakening of amphibian species, Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary offers a training on the FrogWatch citizen science project! Using this and other resources, families can learn about local species of frogs and salamanders and can engage in important conservation work.
Animals Up Close: The African Serval Cat Berkshire Museum in Pittsfield Saturday, July 6, 2013 How often is it that your family gets to meet a wild animal up close and personal? Of course, there are lots of different easy-to-spot species inhabiting backyards all over western Massachusetts, and even more elusive species in like porcupines, bears, bald eagles and moose – but what about nonnative species from other regions, like an African Serval Cat… Read More
Peregrine Falcons Nesting Atop UMass Amherst Did you know that UMass Amherst’s W.E.B. Du Bois Library is home to a pair of Peregrine falcons? You might think that’s an odd place to live, but Peregrines love to nest on tall buildings! The nest box was installed in 2003 on top of the Library and has drawn the once-federally endangered Peregrine falcons to the Library each year since then. Thanks to MassWildlife, families… Read More
SciSpy How many different types of creatures has your family seen crawling, flying, and climbing around a local park, the beach, or your own back yard lately? Identifying critters is a fun way for kids to learn about their environment, and beginning to document them can help scientists with wildlife research initiatives! Using SciSpy, families can capture photos of all of the birds, insects, and four-legged fuzzies found in their neighborhood and… Read More
Amy Najimy of Western Mass writes: The kids and I found this cool website from the San Diego Zoo. They have webcams and several informative and interesting videos to watch about the various animals. We watched several videos as our science for today! Link: http://www.sandiegozoo.org/videos/index.html
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