Think Like a Scientist!
Curiosity is a scientist’s superpower! Kids are naturally curious, making observations and asking questions about their world. When a child notices a cardinal fly by and wonders how it got its red feathers, they might not realize it, but they’re already thinking like a scientist.
As educators and families, we can encourage kids to embrace their inner scientist. We’ve put together a suite of resources to help you inspire kids to get outside, make observations, and conduct their own science investigations.
These resources are available for free thanks to our friends at Wild Delight® Outdoor Pet Products, 3-D® Pet Products, and Better Bird®, who generously support our work to make science hands-on and relevant through inquiry investigations. To help you get started on your inquiry journey, our sponsors invite you to enjoy $3.00 off any Wild Delight® Outdoor Pet Products, 3-D® Bird Food, or Better Bird® product. To print your coupon, right click on the image and select “open image in new tab.” From there, you should be able to print as usual.
Embrace authentic science learning with Students as Scientists:
Students as Scientists uses nature to inspire student curiosity and scientific investigations. These free, grade-banded units include six lessons plus slides and handouts that will help you guide your students to ask and answer their own questions, bringing the excitement of doing real science to your classroom! Available in K-5 and 6-12 versions.
Spark Student Curiosity with a Feeder Design Challenge:
Introduce kids to nature and birds through an engineering design challenge. Take inspiration from nature’s own engineers while your students plan, design, and build their own feeders from recyclable and found materials. Build critical thinking skills with this fun, collaborative challenge!
Ignite curiosity at home or through virtual learning:
Encourage your kids to think like a scientist with Cooped Up Kids Activity 10. Designed to help families and educators adjust to virtual learning and work-from-home, this activity combines independent and adult-guided learning that gets K-8th grade kids exploring nature and discovering their inner scientist through engaging google slideshows and fun, hands-on activities.
Get inspired with BirdSleuth Investigator:
What happens when educators encourage kids from around the country to get curious and start asking questions about what they observe? Those questions turn into research projects and innovative studies that the kids design themselves. We invite you to be inspired by the results of this scientific exploration in our beautifully illustrated magazine written by kids for kids. We think you’ll be amazed at their great work!
Explore FeederWatch’s Common Feeder Bird interactive:
Start your bird feeding journey with FeederWatch’s Common Feeder Bird interactive. Explore a list of more than 100 common feeder birds and discover the which combination of seed and feeder type will attract the most birds in your region.