Project WILD is all about hands-on activities - even when you can't all be in the same place together! See below for ideas for teaching WILD activities remotely.

As universities, colleges, and schools move learning online in the wake of the coronavirus spread and COVID-19, many educators are interested in how to conduct WILD activities remotely. See below for ideas and resources to guide students through WILD activities at their own location. If you have additional ideas or resources, feel free to send them our way at projectwild@fishwildlife.org. Stay WILD and healthy!
 

WILD Learning Lab Sessions are  one hour online activity demonstrations and practice for educators who want to try out Project WILD activities that have been redeveloped for online learning and instruction. 

Our WILD Learning Lab website is designed for educators who have completed Project WILD professional development training, as well as Project WILD facilitators.  The site provides access to docments and resources for conducting Project WILD's activities that are redeveloped for online instruction. 

Project WILD Safe Learning & Resonsible Recreation Activity Adaptations provide a collection of ideas for implementing Project WILD activities online as well as in when in-person when social distancing is a priority. 

Padlets to Pods: Exploring Digital Teaching Tools is a webinar presented by Kerry Wixted, Maryland DNR. Learn how to use various digital tools to make online learning an active and engaging place to learn about nature.

The four adapted field investigations are courtesy of Kerry Wixted, Maryland Project WILD Coordinator.  Many of WILD's field investigations make it easy to have students go through activities on their own.

Seed Need (Project WILD page 117student pages here)

  • Create a background PPT or video to talk about plant dispersal . Here is a potential video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06sbmWAzoys
  • Have students go outside and collect seeds from different plants. They can use the sock method, masking tape, collect by hand, or use materials like felt that is swept through brush. 
  • Have them sort the seeds using the investigation sheet. Have them take photos of their sheet and describe some of their reasoning for sorting seeds in those categories. Have the class share photos online with descriptions on where they collected seeds. 
  • After viewing the class photos, have students identify the most common type of dispersal and explain why they think that is. 
  • As a STEM extension, challenge students to design a dispersal mechanism that can disperse a lima bean. Options can include: by wind, by water, by animals, etc. See who can make the best design and have them measure how far it will travel. Have them share methods and results online. 
     

Keeping Cool (Project WILD page 200; student resources here)

  • Go over thermoregulation and how different organisms survive in a PPT or video. 
  • Have students select a local reptile and research optimal temperature ranges and habitat preferences. 
  • Have students design a model of their reptile. Have them take pictures of their models and provide information about habitat preferences. 
  • Have students create a data sheet to collect at least 3 temperature readings (see sample in text).
  • Have students go outside and investigate habitat to evaluate if any of the selected sites would meet the needs of their reptile. Use thermometers to measure temperature and have them take photos of their reptile models in the 3 different habitats. Be sure to stress that temps should be taken within 15 min of each other. 
  • Once back inside, have students determine if any of the locations they selected may support their reptile. Why or why not. Have them write up observations and conclusions to share with the class. 

Lunch for a Bear (Courtesy of Susan Robinson, Connecticut Project WILD Coordinator)
Growing Up WILD, p. 26; Grades: PreK-2

  •  Discuss the characteristics of a black bear using the DEEP Wildlife Fact Sheet on black bears.
  • Have students make a bear using paper plates, construction paper, crayons, color pencils, and other craft materials.  For ideas, see this video or visit this website.
  • Show students the Food for Black Bears cards and discuss the types of food bears eat and whether the foods come from plants or animals.
  • Spread the bear food cards on the floor and have students collect the food cards on their bear’s stomach. For an indoors option, students can look in the refrigerator or food cabinets and collect food or write down the foods bears would like.  For an outdoor option, students can go outside and (1) take pictures of bear food, such as seeds, leaves, berries, (2) collect the bear food on their paper-plate bear’s stomach or a bag, or (3) write down or draw a picture of the bear foods they found outside.
  • Discuss what foods they found.  Do the Home Connections activity and discuss what foods they eat that are similar to what a bear would eat. Discuss what a bear would do if they didn’t find enough food.

What Bear Goes Where/A Home Away From Home (Courtesy of Susan Robinson, Connecticut Project WILD Coordinator)
Project WILD, p. 195, 222; Grades K-8

  • Watch a video about bears.  See these videos All about Bears for Kids or Bears 101 – Nat Geo Wild.
  • Discuss where each bear lives, the differences in each place, and bears adaptation to their environment.  Use DEEP Wildlife Fact Sheets on black bear.
  • Have students create a poster or presentation of the habitat of the black bear or a bear of their choice.  Students can use paper, poster, and other craft supplies, an online tool, such as SketchUp, or a video game, such as Minecraft.
  • Discuss the posters, the bear, and their habitat and adaptations.
  • Have students create a zoo enclosure for a bear that has been transferred to a place that is not its native habitat. For instance, have students create an enclosure or 3-D model for a polar bear that has moved to a desert climate.  Students can use paper, poster, and other craft materials, an online 3-D model, such as SketchUp, or a video game, like Minecraft, to create an enclosure. In order for the bear to be healthy, consider what the temperature, humidity, amount of water and food, and other elements need to be included in the enclosure.

 

One critical skill to scientists is the ability to make good observations.  Many of the Project WILD activities help students develop this skill.  While at home parents can find information on how to teach this skill using  AFWA’s Fostering Outdoor Observation Skills guide.  The guide is available for download.


Check out our Children's Book List for reading ideas for kids ages 3-7. The books listed here connect to topics in the twenty-seven Growing Up WILD activities.


Wild Washington Lesson Plans by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife 

Learn-at-Home Wildlife Education Resources by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources

PBS Resources that connect to Growing Up WILD activities (compiled in Ohio, but most links relevant nationally)

Natural and Historical Education Resources for Home by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources

Lessons, Field Trips, Maps and More by the North Carolina Office of Environmental Education

Teacher Resources by Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries

Caregiver Resources with Educator Resources by New York Department of Environmental Conservation

Learn about Wildlife at Home or at School. Check out Alaska Fish and Game's standards-aligned activities, videos, inquiries, scavenger hunts, coloring pages, and more! New activities added weekly so check back often.

Wildlife on WiFi. Remote Learning Resources for Educators and Parents from the Pennsylvania Game Commission. 

Bears and horned animals by Alaska Department of Game and Fisheries. Interactive presentations available for teachers to download.