Curious by Nature Online Program for School Classrooms (Grades 3-8)
Wednesday 9:45–10:15 am
September 23
October 21
November 18
Maine Audubon’s Curious by Nature program connects students in grades 3–8 across Maine with working naturalists and environmental professionals through live, interactive presentations. Each session features a 15–20 minute presentation with visuals about the presenter’s work and its environmental impact, followed by a 10–15 minute Q&A where students can ask questions and engage directly with the speaker. Sessions are recorded and added to Maine Audubon’s growing catalog of previous programs, available for asynchronous access.
Curious by Nature is free and open to students in grades 3–8 statewide. Registration required.
Aquatic WILD K-12 Interdisciplinary Educator Workshop
October 27, 8:30 am-3:30 pm
Fields Pond Audubon Center, Holden
$30 with book included
Aquatic WILD is a hands-on interdisciplinary STEM curriculum focused on aquatic and wetland wildlife, water resources, and ecological concepts. This experiential learning workshop introduces participants to over 50 Maine-specific activities from the exclusive Aquatic WILD K-12 Curriculum & Activity Guide, only available through workshops. This resource serves as an integrating tool across all subject areas, making it perfect for classroom teachers meeting science standards while incorporating math, language arts, and social studies. Participants will earn professional development credit hours while exploring both indoor and outdoor learning opportunities, so dress appropriately for weather conditions.
ERC members can borrow taxidermy, story walks, and other resources from Maine Audubon’s Educator Resource Center at Gilsland Farm Audubon Center in Falmouth. An inventory of resources and information about signing up is available in this flyer [pdf].
Maine Audubon regularly offers customizable workshops and trainings for educators on conservation and environmental topics.
These projects allow students to learn about the scientific method while participating in meaningful data collection and reporting.
:: iNaturalist is a web site and community for reporting observations of plant or animal species around the world. Special projects can be designed for any specific location such as a school or local natural area.
How to use iNaturalist (YouTube video) created by Maine Audubon’s Staff Naturalist
How to use iNaturalist (pdf) – basic tips on how to use iNaturalist
iNaturalist Worksheet 1 (pdf) – Created by Maine Audubon. Designed to be used if you do not have access to devices to input data in the field.
iNaturalist Worksheet 2 (pdf) – Created by King Middle School, designed for a specific project focusing on plants and insects.
:: Using their backyards as laboratories, participants in the Signs of the Seasons program help scientists document the local effects of global climate change. You can use an app called Nature’s Notebook that makes recording data for Signs of the Seasons much easier.
:: eBird is a real-time, online checklist program for recording birds. Use the app to record data and visit the website for species maps and data.