Alaska Bird Observatory

Educational Programs for Youth

Spring 2007 Bird-Banding Demonstrations: Requests will be accepted from area schools and home-school groups April 9-13. Call 451-7159 or e-mail tblake@alaskabird.org to request a slot. Teachers will be notified April 18 if they are are accepted. If you miss our deadline, please call to check on availability of open slots.

The Alaska Bird Observatory offers several educational opportunities for youth:

Bird Banding Demonstrations (May-September only)
This field trip to the Creamer's Field Migration Station introduces children to wildlife research first-hand. Following a guided bird walk along the Seasonal Wetland Trail, children observe the migratory songbird project in progress. This includes capturing birds in mist nets, data collection, and the birds' safe release. Discussions focus on the reasons for conducting bird research, the importance of this type of study, and the significance of songbirds. Whenever possible, children get to help release the birds.

The cost for this program is a $40 per group (25 children maximum per group) or $2 per student, materials and administrative fee. Limited group scholarship assistance is available--please contact us for details. Each teacher receives a copy of our Boreal Forest Songbirds of Alaska teaching unit, and each child receives a Songbird Activity Book prior to their visit This booklet can be used as a supplement in the classroom or as a field guide and checklist during the program. Students can even follow along with researchers and record their own data.
Academic Standards: Science 14 a, B4, C2, C5, D1

Banding demonstrations can be scheduled in conjunction with the popular nature program offered by the Alaska Department of Fish & Game (at no extra cost). The "Creamer's Nature Program" provides activities that introduce students to the wildlife ecology and human history of Creamer's Field by exploring different habitats, viewing wildlife, and visiting the farmhouse nature displays. For information about the Creamer's Nature Program, contact Mark Ross at mark_ross@fishgame.state.ak.us or call (907) 459-7301.

NEW Outreach Programs
Classroom visits to Fairbanks area schools by ABO educators are now available! Classes are also invited to visit the new classroom at our Center for Education and Research located in Wedgewood Resort. Programs are flexible and can be adjusted to fit the age, focus, and individual needs of your class. Fees vary depending on material and travel costs. Prices are based on a program at the ABO Center for Education and Research. Travel to schools outside of Fairbanks is billed at $0.45/mile round trip from ABO Center for Education and Research. Schedule more then one class per day at your school and save on travel costs! There is an additional fee for a live bird for the classroom visit. Please contact Tricia Blake at tblake@alaskabird.org or (907) 451-7159 for more information. Program topics are listed below.

Principles of Flight - How can birds defy gravity? What amazing adaptations allow them to flap, soar, glide, and hover in the sky? Activities include hands on investigations of different types of feathers and wings. Students apply their knowledge by designing and constructing a glider of their own.
Age Level: grades 3-7
Duration: 1-1.5 hours
Cost: $40 plus travel
Academic Standards: Mathematics A5, B7; Science A6, A12, A13, A14 a, B3, C6, C7, D1, D2, History B1 e; Writing A1, A2, A6; Arts A4 (including extension activities)

Learning to Identify Birds - Explore the importance of careful observation, description, and documentation to scientific investigation. Using games and activities with study skins, students will learn how to identify birds and become familiar with some common species in the Fairbanks area.
Age Level: grades 1-8
Duration: 1 hour
Cost: $25 plus travel
Academic Standards: English/Language C5 a, b, c, d; Science A12, A14 a, b, A15, B1; Geography A1, C2

Nests - Why do birds build nests? Students will learn this and more as they investigate five common nest designs. Students will apply what they have learned in the design and construction of a nest using everyday materials. Cost of program dependent on materials.
Age Level: grades 1-4
Duration: 45 minutes
Cost: $25-$35 plus travel
Academic Standards: Science A12, A14 a, b, c; Arts A1, A4, A5

Winter Adaptations - Where DO birds go at 40 below? Learn how birds and other species survive interior Alaska’s cold dark winters. This program involves a walk (weather and temperature permitting) to look for bird and other animal signs at Creamer’s Field or around your school.
Age Level: grades K-6
Duration: 1 hour
Cost: $25 plus travel
Academic Standards: Science A4, A12, A14 a, b, A15, Geography A1, D3

Alaska’s Birds of Prey - What is a bird of prey? Investigate the adaptations of this remarkable group of birds including hawks, eagles, falcons, and owls. A live bird may be available for a classroom visit! Cost dependent on materials.
Age Level: grades K-8
Duration: 1 hour
Cost: $25 plus travel
Academic Standards: Science A12, A14 a, b, c, D1

Radical Ravens - Learn more about Fairbanks’ most familiar winter resident. A live bird may be available for a classroom visit!
Age Level: grades K-8
Duration: 45 minutes
Cost: $25 plus travel
Academic Standards: English/Language A1, A4, A5, Science A14 a, A15; Arts A1, B1, Cultural Standards B1

Bird Banding Demonstrations:

For school classes
Classroom banding demonstrations occur on weekday mornings during May, late August, and September. Because of the high demand and limited time slots available, a lottery system allocating slots among schools is used to provide an equitable system. Priority is given to schools and classes who did not visit the previous season.

For more information you can telephone us at (907) 451-7159 or email Tricia Blake at tblake@alaskabird.org

Spring 2007 Banding Demonstrations: Requests will be accepted from area schools April 9-13. Teachers will be notified April 18. Banding demonstrations are available weekday mornings from April 30- May 18. We cannot accept requests to schedule field trips prior to the scheduled call-in period. If you miss the deadline please call. We may still have open slots or we can place your class on a waiting list. After the deadline we will allocate field trip slots and notify all interested teachers. There are only two demonstrations scheduled each week day morning throughout the month and typically the two daily slots are assigned to the same school. This allows each school to fill one bus and participate in both the Fish & Game and ABO programs. If your school has more classes interested than you get slots for it is up to you to decide which classes will attend.

For other youth groups:
Summer bird walks and banding demonstrations for groups of 5 or more must be scheduled in advance. The cost for this program is a $3 per child ($24 minimum per group) materials and administrative fee. If your group is interested in attending, please call or e-mail us with the date and time you would like to come and the number in your group. If there is a particular bird subject you would like to have covered let us know. We will confirm your visit as soon as possible.

Educational Resources
A Boreal Forest Songbirds of Alaska teaching unit has been developed to accompany the ABO Songbird Activity Book. The teaching unit includes information and activities about songbird biology and research. It is designed for the 3rd to 5th-grade levels but can be easily adapted for all elementary levels. This teaching unit is currently available at no cost to teachers in interior Alaska. It is also on this web site at http://www.alaskabird.org/bfsunit.

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