What Is Community Science?
Community science is science performed by members of the general public. This work is usually done in collaboration with professional scientists or organizations that use this information for research. Community science is a powerful tool because people just like you and me can observe right where we live and provide information to scientists and scientific institutions they would not otherwise have.
Bird Count and Bioblitz! Counting Critters both feature characters engaging in community science. In Bird Count, Ava and her team collaborate in the National Audubon Society’s Christmas Bird Count, a real international effort. The data they collect about the birds in their town will be shared with professionals dedicated to protecting birds everywhere. In Bioblitz! Gabriel and his dad collaborate with their city to learn about the animals in their municipal park. This information will help the city better manage the park to protect all of its wildlife.
Biodiversity counts, or other types of species counts, take place worldwide in settings from city parks to National Parks, from neighborhoods to entire states. Community science events like the ones portrayed in these picture books, not only provide valuable information to help protect living things, but also bring communities together in shared appreciation of their local environments.
To find Community Science projects in your own area, SciStarter is a great resource!
Enhance Your Habitat for Learning!
Bird Count and Bioblitz! offer fun and engaging introductions to wildlife and habitats for children in preschool through fifth grade. Because many of the animals featured are visible in multiple habitats, they are a perfect focus for nature study in your classroom and beyond.
Literacy Create a cozy habitat in a corner of your classroom with pillows, scarves, and bean bag chairs. Arrange books about wildlife, plush animals, and games such as bird bingo in inviting groupings.
Art Set up an art table with animal images and drawing and collage materials. If you have a window bird feeder, provide clipboards with paper and drawing implements for sketching your bird visitors.
Music Play CDs or smart speakers with nature sounds, including bird and frog calls, in the classroom, or provide a listening corner with headphones. Display bird books or cards with audio for children to practice bird and frog song or call identification.
Science and Technology Have children design and create class bird feeders to hang outside your windows. Or make individual feeders out of pine cones by tying yarn at the top, spreading peanut or soy butter over the surface, then rolling in bird seed.
Mathematics Hang a bird tally sheet near a bird viewing window or window feeder, and encourage children to make a mark in the appropriate box whenever they see a bird. Create tally sheets with images of local wildlife to use on nature walks around the school.
Dance Retell the story of Bird Count or Bioblitz! through movement. Show the illustrations of birds and other animals, give movement prompts, allowing children to add their own ideas. Play lively music and have children dance freely. (Activity provided by Connie Bergstein Dow.)
