Citizen science projects like eBird can help educators make concrete connections between classroom learning and life skills, preparing your students with the tools they need to thrive in the world. Being an eBird citizen scientist involves bird identification and confident data entry. The eBird Essentials for Educators guide gives educator-tested tips, tools, and activities for scaffolding students in identifying birds and submitting data as a class. It was designed to complement the eBird Essentials course. We highly recommend that educators take this course to become familiar with eBird before using this guide with students.
Citizen Science and Outdoor Learning
Bird Identification
- Inside Birding Videos: This series of four videos guides you through the four basic keys to bird identification with clear instruction and examples.
- AllAboutBirds.org: The Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s online field guide with images, range maps, sounds, and fun facts.
- Teaching Bird ID: Planning to go birding with your students? Check out these tips for identifying what you see!
- Which Field Guide?: Too many field guid choice? Don’t worry. Just follow these guidelines to find the right guide for you and the youth you work with.
- Binoculars for Birding: Learn how to obtain, use, and store a fundamental tool of bird watching: binoculars.
eBird Modeling
- eBird Science: eBird transforms your bird observations into critical data for research, conservation, and education.
- eBird Modeling Homepage: Discover these dynamic models that showcase the full annual cycle of birds.