Educational Resources

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have gathered some educational resources for those that want to stay connected to natural resource materials and lessons during this uncertain time. They are sorted by topic.

For a list of additional resources, visit our blog post about our response to COVID-19.

Birds

1. Use the Bird Cams from Cornell Lab 
   1. Have students pick a bird cam (live or recorded) and use the Cornell BirdSleuth Explorer’s Guidebook  to describe the bird 
      1. Use pages 8 and 9 of the guidebook to identify and describe the bird
   2. Then have students pick another bird cam and identity and describe that bird
   3. Compare and contrast the two bird species: How are they similar (size, color, beak shape, habitat) and how are they different? 
2. Online Bird Games from Cornell Lab 
   1. Explore a range of online games about birds designed for students of different ages 

Aquatic Macroinvertebrates

1. Coloring and activity book on aquatic macroinvertebrates from Utah State University: Bugs Don’t Bug Me 
2. Video on identifying aquatic macroinvertebrates and how macros are used as indicators for water quality from Ohio University 

Beavers

1. PBS video on beavers 
   1. Reflection questions to ask students before watching video: 
      1. What do you already know about beavers? 
      2. What do they eat? 
      3. Where do they live? 
      4. What do they build? 
   2. Reflection questions to ask after watching the video: 
      1. How do beavers eat sugar? 
      2. Why are beaver teeth orange? 
      3. What materials do beavers use to build their dams? 
      4. What are some benefits of beaver dams?
2. BBC video on beavers
3. National Geographic Fact Sheet on Beavers
4. Spanish and English Beaver video with activities from PBS

Plants

1. Native plants coloring sheets from the US Forest Service 
2. Parts of a flower worksheet: answer guide and fill in the blank
3. Parts of a flower video

General

1. Explore National Parks with a virtual guided tour