Education Program

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In the News

Four Keys to Bird ID

Bird identification can be tricky when you're starting out
What to Do About Squirrels?

Top 9 suggestions from our Facebook community
Thieves With Benefits

When is a thief handy to have around? When it's a drongo and you're a babbler
Hear 7 of the Coolest Natural Sounds in Our Archives

From spine-tingling wails to alien spaceships landing, check out some of the most extraordinary sounds in our Macaulay Library online archive
Latest Photos From Birdspotter Contest

Check out the winners and "eye-catchers" from our contest on Facebook, sponsored by Bob's Red Mill Natural Foods
Last of Their Kind

On the Russian tundra, critically endangered Spoon-billed Sandpipers gather to nest and raise their young in numbers so vulnerably low, each new breeding season could be the species' last.
On the Plains of Hungary

The vast grassy puszta holds some of Europe's best bird habitat, unspoiled by communism but now threatened by economic crisis
Want to See a Cool Map?

You can now watch eBird submissions come in from bird watchers all around the globe, in real time
Cornell Lab Scientist Interviewed on French-Canadian Radio

Parlez-vous français? Lab scientist André Dhondt discusses the Macaulay Library's 150,000-song online archive with Radio Canada
The Redder the Better

There's a reason why male cardinals wear such vivid plumage all year long.

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Overview: Education as part of the Cornell Lab's mission

We aim for students to investigate their own questions about birds and biodiversity. Beyond the classroom, we spark curiosity, build science skills, and inspire action by lifelong learners within the United States and abroad.

Lessons and Curricula

Free Lessons

From monthly bird-inspired lessons to full inquiry-based curricula, BirdSleuth lessons encourage students to get outside to explore science through birds and local habitat. Download free lessons.

Kits

BirdSleuth kits and resources encourage 3-8th grade students in classrooms, out of school programs, and beyond to engage in STEM learning by participating in citizen science projects and exploring local habitat. Kits make teaching the lessons easy and fun.

Literature Connections

Trade books can inspire science learning. Find our growing list of books and activities.

Books

Birds Without Borders: Investigating Populations, Habitats, and Conservation Needs of Birds in the U.S. and Abroad
Using interactive online maps and real data, 6-12th grade students address questions such as why bird habitat requirements vary from species to species and why habitat protection for some must span states, countries, and continents. Two investigations are available as free downloads.

Citizen Science: 15 Lessons that Bring Biology to Life
This book supports independent inquiry through which 6-12th grade students learn science content and process skills. It offers 15 stimulating lessons you can use to build data collection and analysis into your teaching – indoors or out, in any season, and addressing organisms from bees to whales. One lesson is available as a free download.

Videos

Inspire, motivate, and engage your students with free online videos highlighting exciting young conservation scientists and their research.

Resources for International Educators

We strive to connect kids to birds in Latin America, the Caribbean, and beyond with resources provided in both Spanish and English.

Articles

Visit BirdSleuth’s blog to find information and resources related to:

• Citizen Science
• Bird Identification
• Bird Biology
• Outdoor Learning

Professional Development

• Annual BirdSleuth retreat
• Webinars
• A complete list of Ambassador and staff trainings throughout the U.S. and beyond.
• Integrating Inquiry for Educators: Developing Student Science Practices

Learn Online

Bird Academy

Explore free and premium content on topics ranging from bird identification to bird song and behavior. Bird Academy offers new ways to learn about the world of birds through courses, videos, interactives, puzzles, quizzes and more. Whether you’re in the mood for browsing videos of wild bird behavior or ready to dive into learning all the duck species in your area, Bird Academy is here to help.

Webinars

Browse our list of upcoming and archived webinars.

Bird ID Tutorials and Courses

Hone your bird ID skills with these self-paced tutorials and courses:

Be a Better Birder Basics: Size and Shape

Be a Better Birder Basics: Color and Pattern

Spring Field Ornithology

Be a Better Birder: Duck and Waterfowl Identification

Interactive Features

Deepen your understanding of fascinating aspects of bird biology with these free online interactive activities:

Bird Song Hero

All About Bird Song

All About Feathers

All About Fancy Males

All About Bird Anatomy

Media Library

Select from more than 100 free videos, articles, quizzes, and interactive activities in the media library.

Learn at Home

Ornithology: Comprehensive Bird Biology

At your own pace, learn about bird behavior, migration, ecology, conservation, and many other subjects. Learn college-level ornithology using the Handbook of Bird Biology, 3rd edition, along with custom media elements and rigorous quizzes for each chapter. Over the past 20 years, more than 10,000 bird enthusiasts and budding ornithologists have used previous versions of this course to transform their understanding of birds. Comparable to an introductory college level course in Ornithology, this course is well suited for anyone with a serious interest in learning more about birds. Find out more.

Books and Guides

Handbook of Bird Biology 3rd Edition–coming in 2016

Waterfowl ID foldout guides
This series of three weather-resistant foldout guides provide simple techniques for waterfowl ID based on flashes of white that are easy to see at a distance.

Learn at the Lab

Spring Field Ornithology

James Hendrickson/GBBC

Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned birder, you can take your bird ID skills to the next level with this popular eight-week course. Select from lectures in person or online, weekend outings, and special overnight trips to birding hotspots. Topics covered include identification tips, breeding bird biology, bird song, migration, and much more.

Monday Night Seminars

The Cornell Lab hosts seminars throughout the year, including our long-running Monday Night Seminar series, a tradition established decades ago by Lab founder Dr. Arthur Allen. Speakers include Cornell Lab staff, book authors, and distinguished scientists from around the world.

Tours

Join Lab staff for a special building tour where you will learn about the history and work of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology as you are guided behind the scenes for an inside look at this 100-year-old institution.

Bird Walks

Join local birders for a walk in the woods guaranteed to improve your birding skills. Led by Cayuga Bird Club members and Lab staff walks will provide you with information on local species and Lab tools that can help you improve your bird ID skills. Check the schedule.

Get Outside

BirdSleuth Explorer’s Guidebook

Get outdoors and explore with this free resource! Kids go on a habitat scavenger hunt, create a sound map, and test their bird ID skills. This step-by-step guide is the result of a partnership with the “Every Kid in a Park” effort. Though it is geared toward fourth grade students, it is highly adaptable for many ages and locations. Learn more.

Games

Bird Song Hero

This is the new, visual way for anyone to learn bird songs. Train your brain to recognize more than 50 bird songs with this fun matching game.

Educational Cards

Bird BINGO, habitat scavenger hunt, and bird ID focus cards can make outdoor learning and exploring fun and engaging.

Books and Activities

Kids' books can inspire science learning!

Plan Your Visit

Individuals and Families

Explore interactive exhibits and world-class art in our Visitor Center, and head outside to four miles of trails in our surrounding Sapsucker Woods sanctuary. More information.

Group Visits

The Lab is a great destination for groups of all ages. Your group can have fun while learning from our introductory film, exhibits, indoor wildlife observation area, and trails in the surrounding Sapsucker Woods sanctuary. Make your reservation today! Learn more.

Learn Bird ID

Bird Walks

You can join local birders for a walk in the woods guaranteed to improve your birding skills. Led by Cayuga Bird Club members and Lab staff walks will provide you with information on local species and Lab tools that can help you improve your bird ID skills. Check the schedule.

Spring Field Ornithology

James Hendrickson/GBBC

Learn About the Lab

Building Tours

You may join Lab staff for a special building tour where you will learn about the history and work of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology as you are guided behind the scenes for an inside look at this 100-year-old institution.

Programs and Events

Monday Night Seminars

Throughout the year, the Cornell Lab hosts seminars, including our long-running Monday Night Seminar series, a tradition established decades ago by Lab founder Dr. Arthur Allen. Speakers include Cornell Lab staff, book authors, and distinguished scientists from around the world.

Migration Celebration

This family-friendly event gives visitors the unique opportunity to meet Lab staff and scientists right where they work, join in guided bird walks, and enjoy interactive exhibits, live birds, games, face-painting, and hands-on activities. Read more.