Through BirdSleuth, kids become real scientists!

Students engage in authentic inquiry through citizen science! They carefully observe birds, ask and answer their own questions based on observations and data, and publish their original research. BirdSleuth kids also use technology and real data: The Internet makes it easy to send and receive data and help scientists to better understand birds. And of course, kids everywhere can benefit from the added restorative and cognitive benefits of time spent outdoors in nature!

 

Why Citizen Science?

“Scientists can’t be everywhere, so kids from all over can record data and send it in.” Heidi, grade 7

Through the Lab of Ornithology's Citizen Science Program, people across the continent help scientists by collecting data about their local birds and sending the information to scientists who study bird populations and conservation. Students are especially motivated by and engaged with helping scientists and birds!

Why Inquiry?

The BirdSleuth curriculum is designed to give students experience with the entire scientific process: observing birds carefully, collecting data, asking their own questions, drawing conclusions through research and observation, and publishing results. In this way, students become practicing scientists. Each fall the Lab publishes the national edition of our student research journal, Classroom BirdScope, along with a twice-annual supplement called BirdSleuth Reports, which both feature student research and creative work—that’s real science by real kids!

'It's fun to be peaceful and quiet for awhile and just listen to birds.' -BirdSleuth student, Grade 7

Why Get Kids Outside?

Amid growing concern about the health of children and the environment, citizen science gets children outside, observing and learning to appreciate nature. It may even introduce them to a healhty new hobby! 

So, Why BirdSleuth?

BirdSleuth curriculum materials, called modules, each include a Teacher's Guide, a Reference Guide and an Investigator's Journal that you can copy and distribute to your class, and resource kit materials, including an educational tool such as our BirdSleuth Focus Cards, supplemental CD-ROMs, and full-color posters.

Each module scaffolds various Cornell Lab of Ornithology citizen science projects (eBird.org, Project FeederWatch, etc.), and gives you and your students a step-by-step process for becoming involved, responsible citizen scientists and making the most of the resources the Lab has to offer. BirdSleuth also provides complete support for educators using BirdSleuth: From our free online module BirdSleuth: Investigating Evidence, which is designed to make students more familiar and comfortable with the general scientific process, to direct in-person support from the BirdSleuth team, we're always there for you, ready with advice, ideas, and further inquiry resources.

For more details about each of our unique modules, click here.

You can also contact Gabrielle at (607) 254-2489 or email her at gem73@cornell.edu for more information.