Day 8 - Endangered Species: Classroom Nature Discovery
Building outreach classroom programs with Audubon
After spending a day researching the endangered Puerto Rican Parrot, participants will be ready to meet with an Audubon representative to build Classroom Nature Discovery Centers for elementary school age youth, generally in the third grade in Puerto Rican schools.
Endangered Species problem it addresses:
This project deals with education youth about endangered species and how individuals can work alone and in groups to help the improve the problem.
Location at EYF:
The project takes place at El Portal Visitors Center at El Yunque Forest.
Who benefits from project: (describe)
a. EYF Animals and Plants
Animals and plants at El Yunque Forest and throughout the world will benefit if a generation of youth has greater respect for endangered species,and realize that choices they make in their lives impact the environment and species.
b. Puerto Ricans outside EYF
Puerto Rican youth will be exposed to concepts in their classrooms that they may not otherwise have had, relating to endangered plants and animals.
Detailed Project Description:
a. What is being created?
The participants will work with an Audubon representative to create the template and classroom material for A Nature Discovery Center in third grade classes throughout Puerto Rico. Nature Discovery Centers are places in the classroom where students can explore nature through research and observation. By the end of the day, a prototype will be created, ready for testing in a nearby school.
b .Describe the outcome and how it addresses the endangered species problem:
Allowing young children to explore
What is Audubon?
The National Adubon Society is aims to conserve and restore natural ecosystems, focusing on birds, other wildlife, and their habitats for the benefit of humanity and the earth's biological diversity.
It brings diverse groups of people sharing a common objective together.
Why Audubon"
Audubon's objectives and those of the United States Forest Service are well-matched, both focused on conserving ecosystems, birds and other wildlife, and their habitats.
List different parts of projects that eco-tourists will work on as teams
Each team will have a chance to do all activities:
a. Activity 1: The Audubon representative will explain what a Classroom Nature Discovery Center is, show some samples, and lead a discussion so that the participants can identify what should be part of the Center.
b. Activity 2: In a "scavenger hunt" manner, the participants will collect the objects needed for the prototype, and if not available, will list them for other Audubon and Forest Service staff to collect afterwards.
c. Activity 3: Write instruction manual for teachers
d.Activity 4: Write student instructions.
Skills used:
Brainstorm, discussion, creativity, writing.
HIGHLIGHT all that apply: (Ecology, sociology, education, economic, political)
Besides their own groups, who else will they work with?
Work with Audubon representative and local high school Puerto Ricans to design Classroom Nature Discovery template in Spanish and English.
Endangered Species problem it addresses:
This project deals with education youth about endangered species and how individuals can work alone and in groups to help the improve the problem.
Location at EYF:
The project takes place at El Portal Visitors Center at El Yunque Forest.
Who benefits from project: (describe)
a. EYF Animals and Plants
Animals and plants at El Yunque Forest and throughout the world will benefit if a generation of youth has greater respect for endangered species,and realize that choices they make in their lives impact the environment and species.
b. Puerto Ricans outside EYF
Puerto Rican youth will be exposed to concepts in their classrooms that they may not otherwise have had, relating to endangered plants and animals.
Detailed Project Description:
a. What is being created?
The participants will work with an Audubon representative to create the template and classroom material for A Nature Discovery Center in third grade classes throughout Puerto Rico. Nature Discovery Centers are places in the classroom where students can explore nature through research and observation. By the end of the day, a prototype will be created, ready for testing in a nearby school.
b .Describe the outcome and how it addresses the endangered species problem:
Allowing young children to explore
- Living organisms (NOT captured in the wild)
- Natural materials—bones, shells, and other items from animals and leaves, seeds, stones, soil.
- Field guides, other nonfiction and fiction books dealing with nature, nature magazines such as Audubon, newspaper and magazine articles, pamphlets.
- Posters and other graphic materials.
- Science equipment and tools— microscope, hand lenses, binoculars, glass jars, slides, tweezers, a scale, rulers, graph paper.
- Space for hands-on activities, experiments, and observing and recording.
- Local information—maps, news about nature and environmental issues in the region, community,
What is Audubon?
The National Adubon Society is aims to conserve and restore natural ecosystems, focusing on birds, other wildlife, and their habitats for the benefit of humanity and the earth's biological diversity.
It brings diverse groups of people sharing a common objective together.
- Nearly 500 local Chapters nationwide engage members in grassroots conservation action;
- Audubon environmental policy, education and science experts guide lawmakers, agencies, and our grassroots in shaping effective conservation plans, actions and the policies to support them;
- More than 2,500 Audubon-designated Important Bird Areas identify, prioritize and protect vital bird habitat from coast to coast—in partnership with BirdLife International, our IBA conservation efforts support species and their habitats across the Western Hemisphere;
- “Citizen Scientists” collect vital data, through Audubon’s annual Christmas Bird Count, the new Coastal Bird Survey, and other initiatives, generating groundbreaking analyses and guiding scientists and policy makers in addressing the needs of birds and other wildlife;
- Special ecosystem-wide conservation initiatives focus on protection and restoration of the nation’s most special places from Alaska’s Tongass to Sagebrush country and the Louisiana Coast;
- Audubon Centers and sanctuaries are hubs of conservation exploration, research, and action, allowing millions to discover and defend the natural world;
- Educational programs and materials combine with Audubon, the nation’s most acclaimed conservation magazine to introduce schoolchildren, families and nature-lovers of all ages to the wonders of nature and the power of conservation at home and around the world.
Why Audubon"
Audubon's objectives and those of the United States Forest Service are well-matched, both focused on conserving ecosystems, birds and other wildlife, and their habitats.
List different parts of projects that eco-tourists will work on as teams
Each team will have a chance to do all activities:
a. Activity 1: The Audubon representative will explain what a Classroom Nature Discovery Center is, show some samples, and lead a discussion so that the participants can identify what should be part of the Center.
b. Activity 2: In a "scavenger hunt" manner, the participants will collect the objects needed for the prototype, and if not available, will list them for other Audubon and Forest Service staff to collect afterwards.
c. Activity 3: Write instruction manual for teachers
d.Activity 4: Write student instructions.
Skills used:
Brainstorm, discussion, creativity, writing.
HIGHLIGHT all that apply: (Ecology, sociology, education, economic, political)
Besides their own groups, who else will they work with?
Work with Audubon representative and local high school Puerto Ricans to design Classroom Nature Discovery template in Spanish and English.