Three years ago we launched our Bird by Bird school program with a fifth-grade teacher at Kinawa Middle School in Okemos, Mich., and this week I met with his current students to talk about Chimney Swifts.
There have been many changes over the last three years, but the most notable was how we met. I stayed at my computer from my office and shared my screen to show them photos and videos to help teach them about the bird. In turn, the students joined me from their homes. Once or twice I saw curious faces of siblings pop into view. Given our “new normal,” we’re working to pivot our programs into a usable interface and share our resources in these “unprecedented times.”
Although I know we’re all tired of how COVID-19 is affecting our lives, at this moment it doesn’t matter. The students are happy to be hearing about a bird they may or may not have ever seen before. They’re searching the recesses of their memories for the familiar chatter of the Chimney Swift or imagining what it would be like to have a Chimney Swift around to take care of the mosquito problem in their yard.
It’s critical for us to continue to reach classrooms and young birders during this time. Although my lesson has to shift when I’m not in person, the content can still be digestible, thoughtful, and inspiring. This “visit” is the first of many and a jumping-off point to reaching more classrooms and more young people throughout the state.
As our school program shifts to virtual, we are still in need of volunteers and interested teachers to expand Bird by Bird throughout the state. We hope to continue to grow this program steadily and organically over the next several years.
For more information about Bird by Bird, visit michiganaudubon.org/learn/young-birders/.
If you have questions, contact Lindsay Cain at lcain@michiganaudubon.org.