Embedded Files
This site is under construction 🚧🙂🚧 Message the mods at our Reddit community if you'd like to help. We'd be excited to have it!
Table of Contents
Educational Apps
Educational Apps
International
International
Duolingo This is a free app designed to get students excited about learning new languages. It offers a growing variety of languages from English or other languages including French, German, and Spanish. Most languages are available through English, but some are some are only available through others. For example Catalan can be learned through Spanish (in other words you need to understand some Spanish before clicking "I speak Spanish" to access the Catalan lessons). Paid version is optional. Accounts available for teachers.
iNaturalist "Every observation can contribute to biodiversity science, from the rarest butterfly to the most common backyard weed. We share your findings with scientific data repositories like the Global Biodiversity Information Facility to help scientists find and use your data. All you have to do is observe."
North America
North America
NestWatch: All About Birdhouses "For many species of birds, there is a shortage of great places to nest. There may be birds that would love to call your habitat home, but they have a specific nesting requirement which needs to be met. Birdhouses can be placed in backyards, schoolyards, parks, orchards, farms, pastures, cemeteries, woodlots, deserts, cities...you name it. Support more nesting birds, and give a bird a home. Use these resources to become the ultimate nest box landlord; find out what features make a birdhouse ideal, which species you can attract to your area, and how to troubleshoot any problems that arise."
NestWatch: Common Nesting Birds "accepts data on all North American breeding birds. However, you are likely to encounter many of these species nesting in your backyards, neighborhoods, and parks. We are seeking nesting data on these species in particular because they are common, widely-distributed, convenient to monitor, and tolerant of nest checking. If you find a nest, use the filters to help discover what species could have made it. Or, click on a bird to learn more about its nesting habits."
USA
USA
NestWatch: All About Birdhouses "For many species of birds, there is a shortage of great places to nest. There may be birds that would love to call your habitat home, but they have a specific nesting requirement which needs to be met. Birdhouses can be placed in backyards, schoolyards, parks, orchards, farms, pastures, cemeteries, woodlots, deserts, cities...you name it. Support more nesting birds, and give a bird a home. Use these resources to become the ultimate nest box landlord; find out what features make a birdhouse ideal, which species you can attract to your area, and how to troubleshoot any problems that arise."
NestWatch: Common Nesting Birds "accepts data on all North American breeding birds. However, you are likely to encounter many of these species nesting in your backyards, neighborhoods, and parks. We are seeking nesting data on these species in particular because they are common, widely-distributed, convenient to monitor, and tolerant of nest checking. If you find a nest, use the filters to help discover what species could have made it. Or, click on a bird to learn more about its nesting habits."
Africa
Africa
iLearnabout "aims to bring interactive e-learning and resources on core conservation topics to Sub-Saharan Africa. Each iLearnabout topic explores global issues aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, through digital learning and local investigations. Each module is freely available online and downloadable for offline use on mobile phones, tablets, computers and projectors and are designed to be taught as extra-curricular lessons outside of school hours in after school clubs. Children then choose and carry out local projects linked to the topic, developing knowledge, values and competencies to become actors for change."
Energy Production
Energy Production
Marine Renewable Energy Educational Resources "Using clean, low-carbon energy sources is more important now than ever. As we combat climate change, marine renewable energy (MRE) has the potential to play an important role. However, we need to understand the impact tidal, wave, and ocean thermal energy devices may have on the environment in order to deploy MRE devices in a responsible manner.
OES-Environmental has compiled educational resources to increase awareness and understanding of MRE and associated environmental effects as well as support the future workforce. The materials and resources on this page can be used by students of all ages and educational backgrounds. Educators, schools, aquariums and zoos, science camps, etc. may also want to use this page for fun, educational content or to develop a classroom curriculum on environmental effects of MRE."
Games
Games
Terra Nil This is a video game which is currently free if if you have a Netflix account, or available from Steam for around $20 (USD). The player starts out with a dead wasteland and uses technology to start revitalizing the environment. After basic ecosystems have been started and clean water is available, the gamer can then scan for wildlife and adjust biomes to make them appropriate for keystone species to return. For anyone who enjoys games like Civilization or City Skylines, this has a very similar feel, minus the wars and traffic congestion. Students will learn about everything from humidify and soil toxicity to the environmental requirements of specific species including sharks, penguins, bears, beavers, dragon flies and more. The final stages of each level include the use of drones and recycling facilities to retrieve all the technology for use in the next biome!
Kits & Lesson Plans
Kits & Lesson Plans
Monitoring Wildlife & Nature
Monitoring Wildlife & Nature
Many species are going extinct at an increasing rate throughout our planet, but by learning which species are native or invasive, we can help the species who are struggling. Similarly, by identifying invasive species we can report sighting or even find solutions so that they can't continue to harm our fragile ecosystems.
Citizen Science
Citizen Science
BioBlitz
BioBlitz
These are generally one-day events, though they may last for only a short period such as an hour or over several days. They are a great way to get adults and children both out in nature and involved with science.
Light & Light Pollution
Light & Light Pollution
Dark Skies Rangers "This program educates students on how to identify inefficient lighting, provides alternatives and tools that reduce consumption, keeps energy costs in check, and helps communities regain and safeguard a precious resource - a dark nighttime sky." The Dark Skies & Energy Education Program (PDF) explains more about this educational opportunity.
Marine Monitoring
Marine Monitoring
North America
North America
Deepwater Horizon Project Tracker "provides an easy and comprehensive way to track restoration, research, and recovery projects resulting from the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill."
USA
Sea Grant Florida: Promoting Ocean and Coastal Literacy At Every Age "Through hands-on, virtual and citizen science activities, Florida Sea Grant educators provide timely science-based information to audiences so that they better understand how their decisions affect coastal environments."
Water Monitoring
Water Monitoring
There are a few ways to monitor our water resources. You can use a rain gauge to track precipitation (just remember to empty it out and clean it once in a while), use chemistry tests to check for pollution and pH, or dip net to discover what species live in your local bodies of water then learn what the presence of these species can tell us about pollution levels.
Kits
Kits
Leaf Pack Stream Ecology Kit "Discover the value of macroinvertebrates as living indicators of water quality. A totally reusable and flexible tool that can be adapted for varying time limits, number of students, and grade levels. Includes a comprehensive instructor’s manual and all the apparatus needed for collecting, sorting, and identifying aquatic insects. A set of full-color flashcards is also supplied. Developed by LaMotte Company in cooperation with Stroud Water Research Center. View on the LaMotte Company website."
Water Rangers "Our easy-to-use water quality testkits and open data platform help anyone collect water quality data for fresh and ocean water. So far, thousands of volunteers in over 20 countries have joined the movement. Ready to dive in?"
Simulators
Simulators
Leaf Pack Network Simulator: Virtual Stream Study "Review and analyze the results from all the tabs (habitat observations, macroinvertebrate PTI rating, and chemistry tests) to develop your own overall stream health rating. Are all of the results the same (Poor, Fair, Good, or Excellent)? “Average” all of the results to develop an overall health rating for the stream you selected."
Frost Valley Education: Pond Exploration 6:47 minute video
This video shows a dichotomous key for species in the USA, which may be more or less useless in other countries. If you can't find one locally or on this page, then check in with your local wildlife organizations, or try to find a book with pictures to identify your local wildlife. A small identification book for your local wildlife should work fine, it just takes a little longer than a one-page key.
Lesson Plans
Lesson Plans
Leaf Pack Network Manual this includes safety guides, data sheets, and more in both English and Spanish.
Macroinvertebrate and Mudsnails "Exploring a local stream gives students the opportunity to determine its relative health, physical attributes and plant/animal populations. During the investigation students collect and classify aquatic insects and learn how they are adapted to stream life." Packet included printable dichotomous key and hand outs, including a "Candy Key" so kid can classify candy instead of creatures if you can't go outside.
Rock Pack Experiment "The Rock Pack experiment combines STEM topics of engineering, ecology, geomorphology, and mathematics in stream ecosystems through the world of the net-spinning caddisfly. Interactive and hands-on activities can be used indoors or outdoors in a 7th-12th grade lesson plan to get students excited about insects and rocks in streams and to learn interdisciplinary science skills and real-world science research applications."
U.S. National Park Services: Using Dichotomous Keys (Lesson Plan) "A dichotomous key is an important scientific tool, used to identify different organisms, based the organism’s observable traits. Dichotomous keys consist of a series of statements with two choices in each step that will lead users to the correct identification."
Dichotomous Keys
Dichotomous Keys
Identification Guide to Freshwater Macroinvertebrates (PDF) this guide includes colour coding to help show the pollution tolerance of each species.
Water Quality Indicator Groups (North American)
Wildlife Camera Traps
Wildlife Camera Traps
Camera traps can be a great way to help kids learn about nocturnal life, urban wildlife, and generally what kinds of animals live in their community. Kids will start to see the animals as part of the community, and may enjoy projects that help animals survive such as creating shelter, water sources, food sources. To take things a step further, you may want to use these as an opportunity to engage in citizen science. Some organizations have camera traps and need people to sift through the footage to find endangered animals, or you may be able to report the species caught on your own traps to support conservationists and animal-friendly policies.
Resources & Guides
Resources & Guides
Camera Tutorial 4:13 minute video from the Urban Wildlife Information Network (UWIN)
Conservation Technology: Camera-Trapping (PDF) "Camera-trapping for conservation: a guide to best-practices"
YaleEnvironment360 Camera Traps Emerge as Key Tool in Wildlife Research
Wildlife Monitoring Apps
Wildlife Monitoring Apps
We have a growing list of citizen science projects including monitoring apps and camera trap programs on our Citizen Science page.
Search the international options, as well as by continent or see if there are options specific to your country.
Organizations
Organizations
International
International
Dark Skies Rangers "This program educates students on how to identify inefficient lighting, provides alternatives and tools that reduce consumption, keeps energy costs in check, and helps communities regain and safeguard a precious resource - a dark nighttime sky."
Global Open Science Hardware (GOSH) The GOSH "movement seeks to reduce barriers between diverse creators and users of scientific tools to support the pursuit and growth of knowledge."
Water Rangers "Our easy-to-use water quality test kits and open data platform help anyone collect water quality data for fresh and ocean water. So far, thousands of volunteers in over 20 countries have joined the movement. Ready to dive in?"
Africa
Africa
The African Makerspace Network "is a community of African Makerspaces comprising researchers, innovators, hobbyists and students that use tools and equipment within a structured space for skills and knowledge sharing, community problem solving towards attaining a sustainable development in Africa.
The Network birthed in 2019 currently has in its community about 27 makerspaces from across 10 African countries including Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Côte d'ivoire and Botswana. The purpose of enhancing harmonization among makerspaces in the African region to facilitate growth and positive impact making remains paramount in our network."
Kenya
Kenya
Computers for Schools Kenya "we are working to propel Kenya to the digital age by training, supplying of computers and other ICT products as well as providing internet to schools. We realize that the next generation has to be well equipped and conversant with the technology in use now and in the future."
Uganda
Uganda
Creative Innovation Centre (CIC) "is a non-profit, non-political Community Based Organization (CBO) located in Rhino Camp Refugee Settlement – Uganda, founded in the year 2020 by a group of dynamic and like-minded creative youths who are advocates for digital literacy and electronics technology
CIC focus is to create a peaceful platform to generate and share new creative and innovative ideas to address the most urgent and pressing needs of the youths through engaging them in peer-to-peer learning, rehabilitating and mentoring on educational (vocational) skills.
CIC aims at achieving youth comprehensive and sustainable development through harnessing electronics wastes to understand technology and enhancing environmental conservation
Thematic Areas:
Peace building
Livelihood
Education
Environmental Justice"
North America
North America
eMammal "is a system for collecting, storing, and sharing camera trap data. The system is designed not only for scientists, but also for anyone who wants to join in the fun and discovery of camera trapping through citizen science. Professional and volunteer camera trappers use our software to look at pictures, identify animals, and upload them to the Smithsonian Data Repository for review and storage. These data are useful for addressing important scientific and conservation questions, and the pictures provide a unique view into the hidden world of wildlife."
Oceana
Oceana
Australia
Australia
ACT
Australian National Botanical Gardens: Pond-Dipping learn about "aquatic ecosystems and indicator species"
New Zealand
New Zealand
Recycle A Device "Welcome to RAD, the Aotearoa initiative where technology meets community, sustainability, and education to fight the digital divide. We're matchmakers for laptops and dreams, turning quality devices into real-life superheroes for those who need them.
We also teach tomorrow's digital innovators (aka rangatahi) the enchanting art of tech engineering, refurbishing laptops to combat the digital divide.
Together with community groups, we ensure these digital companions find their way into the hands of eager ākonga and rangatahi. Join us on this magical journey!"
Maps
Maps
International
International
The Global Integrated Power Tracker (GIPT) (Interactive) is a multi-sector dataset of power stations and facilities worldwide. The tracker provides unit-level information on thermal power (coal, oil, gas, nuclear, geothermal, bioenergy) and renewables (solar, wind, hydro). The tracker includes data on unit capacity, status, ownership, fuel type, start year, retirement date, geolocation, and more. Each power facility is linked to a profile page, hosted on GEM.wiki, that provides further information.
Global Energy Monitor’s eight power sector trackers provide the source of underlying data: the Global Coal Plant Tracker, Global Oil and Gas Plant Tracker, Global Solar Power Tracker, Global Wind Power Tracker, Global Hydropower Tracker, Global Geothermal Power Tracker, Global Bioenergy Power Tracker, Global Nuclear Power Tracker."
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse