Birds in Schools goes online!
Submitted by Holly on 26 Nov 2020.
We are thrilled to have launched our new online Birds in Schools program! While the move to the online space was spurred by the challenging events of this year, we could not be happier that we can now engage schools across the country in our program. In fact, the final term in this school year has seen thirty primary schools across New South Wales and Victoria, and one school from the Northern Territory, join us for Birds in Schools.
The 2020 program has seen the build of our innovative e-learning platform, the adaptation and development of lessons and resources to suit the online platform, a renewed focus on increasing the use of Birdata by participating schools, and the gorgeous redesign of the program materials, including the creation of our Birds in Schools characters. The build of our e-learning platform is particularly exciting, as it will allow us to bring Birds in Schools to many more schools into the future.
This year, our schools are a diverse mix of small and large schools from remote, regional and city areas. They are learning about a variety of different bird species and habitats in their varying locations. Our participating teachers are passionate about teaching students real-life science skills and providing meaningful learning experiences, getting their students out into nature and discovering our incredible wildlife, and of course, they are passionate about birds!
We have already received reports from teachers that students have increased interest in birds, engage enthusiastically in the lessons, point out and identify birds during lunch time play, and have been monitoring the schoolyard nests from a safe distance. We can’t wait to hear more about our Birds in Schools participants’ experiences and achievements as they work through the program and begin their action planning and delivery to make their schools more bird-friendly!
About Birds in Schools
Birds in Schools is a free education program designed by BirdLife Australia and it's Urban Birds Program. The program consists of a curriculum-aligned unit containing lesson plans for 10-11 lessons, accompanying resources, and support from BirdLife staff, including online teacher professional development and two live online lessons for students with BirdLife. Lessons and resources are provided for primary school students at Levels F-2 / Stage 1 and Levels 3-6 / Stage 2 and 3. BIS offers students and teachers the chance to become citizen scientists, investigate real-life sustainability challenges, and reflect and problem solve to develop action-oriented responses to those challenges. Students learn about birds in their local area, conduct and analyse bird and habitat surveys, make recommendations based on their research, and develop and implement action plans to improve habitat for and attitudes to birds.
Your School Can Join Too!
If you think Birds in Schools would be a great fit for your school in 2021, or you have any questions about the program, please contact Alex at alexandra.johnson@birdlife.org.au
Birds in Schools is supported by generous donors including the Dennoch Fund, a sub-fund of Australian Communities Foundation as well as Penrith Lakes Development Corporation, local BirdLife Australia branch volunteers and local councils.
