Education >

Who should attend?
Bird Academy workshops are appropriate for any adults (and select high school students) whether they are classroom teachers, youth leaders or community members. Anyone who likes kids and has a desire to teach young people about wild birds, their adaptations, habitats, ecosystem and migratory needs, and their conservation challenges in an experiential manner will find the workshop fun and engaging while helping meet education standards.

What is the curriculum?
The Bird Academy is a constructivist learning experience that addresses the three learning modalities (visual, auditory and kinesthetic) and diverse learning styles (innovative, analytic, practical and dynamic). It is a program that gets kids up on their feet and outdoors to learn about wild birds. The program incorporates all eight of the intelligences first identified by Howard Gardner.

What happens at the workshops?
Workshop participants will develop a repertory of questions that will lead children into exploration during investigations. Participants receive a copy of the 200-page curriculum with detailed instructions on how to lead the activities, and then they try out each of the 16 activities. Workshop participants may also have time to use the prop-making templates to make their own Bird Academy “kit.” We also discuss local bird species lists, local resource experts, and cultural and community resources that may help plan and execute a successful session.

Participants learn birdwatching skills, practice group management techniques, and the games in addition to going over background information and indoor activities in the curriculum during the longer workshop. Although the workshop is not a college-level ornithology course, the curriculum has substantial background information for further study of birds with book lists, web sites, local events and group field trips, festivals, etc.

How is the workshop delivered?
The workshop is either a 16-hour course for University of Alaska continuing education credit or an 8-hour non-credit course. Workshops are usually co-sponsored by school districts when offered for credit. Other sponsoring groups may include national wildlife refuges, non-profit organizations, youth groups, village and regional native corporations.

How may I get experience teaching the program?
In order to gain confidence using the materials and props, participants are encouraged to shadow-teach with Audubon Alaska staff as soon as possible after attending a workshop. Workshop graduates may receive email postings or contact the office directly to find out about shadow teaching opportunities at Bird Academy sessions in your area.

Do I have to make my own materials and props?
No, free loaner kits are available! A Bird Academy kit is available for free loan to anyone who has taken the training workshop and would then like to teach the program on his or her own. The kit has all the props needed for the 16 activities, including 30 pairs of binoculars. Contact the Audubon Alaska office to make arrangements. Schools/groups that want to conduct a session in or near the Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge may check out the kit owned by the refuge at (800) 621-5804 or (907) 543- 1015.