Learning Experience

- this experience took place at the Royal Ontario Museum over the March break. It was part of the larger “March Madness” event, in which our exhibit was located in the “Natural World” section.

• as part of the learning experience, there were a variety of activities involved:
• Introduction: when the visitors first visited the booth, they first encountered about 100 specimens of birds. Most visitors have very little knowledge about the biodiversity of birds that exist within Ontario, so this provided an opportunity to introduce different types of birds like warblers, sparrows and finches.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Birds of Prey: the group of birds the general public seems to be most familiar with are the birds of prey. To celebrate this knowledge, we had skeleton comparisons of owls with their stuffed mounts. Most children were astonished by the small size of the owl compared to its skeleton. Wing comparisons between owls (Great Gray, Great Horned, Long-eared and Short-eared) were also presented with hawk wings. Visitors were able to contrast and compare the different traits that have evolved, such as feather softness and wing shape.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Bird Banding: visitors were able to learn about what bird banding is and how it contributes to scientific knowledge. Techniques about how the bands are put on the birds and what they mean were introduced, and then different birds strategically placed within the auditorium were spotted using a scope and the bands were read. Visitors were then given the option of being banded themselves, where bracelets were placed on their wrists and they could use an online app to determine what bird they were. This then gave information about the bird’s biology, threats to their existence, and what is being done to conserve them and how they could help.
  
• Bird Dissection: at the end of the exhibit, and with ample warning that some may find it not suitable, there was a live demonstration of a bird skinning. Birds that had died from window collisions were used, and the problems associated with this were explained. A full dissection was preformed, included taking about the inner organs (which is usually not done). Visitors learnt about the different way of breathing birds have, compared the extraordinarily large eye size to the brain size, and got to see how gravel was used to digest the bird’s last meal. Overall, this was the most well received part of the exhibit.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  No matter how "gross" it was for the kids at first, by the end they left filled with fascination and knowledge!

Learners Involved

• the age of the average learner that this was directed at was between 6-14 as this was part of the Royal Ontario Museum March Madness Camp, so school age child were the direct focus. As a result, however, the parents and guardians of these child were also targeted. We made sure to include activities that appealed to these young age groups, but that we also had enough interesting information to interpret to a wider audience.
  
• we encountered hundreds of children and adults daily. It was an extremely well attended event!
  
  Dark-eyed Junco killed by a window collision that was dissected and mounted for the attendees to view. Collected by FLAP (Fatal Light Awareness Program).
  
  
• since we were an exhibit part of a larger event, we had to make sure that we had enough of a WOW factor. We accomplished this through the use of many “touchable” items that kids could handle and manipulate. We also included dissections of birds that were killed because of human causes. Not only did this give us the chance to talk about the remarkable physiologies of all birds, but it also gave the opportunity to discuss about human causes of bird mortalities.
  
  An example of a skin, a male Magnolia Warbler, that visitors were about to hold.

Aims for my Environmental Action

• educate the public, no matter what age but targeting youth, about avian diversity in Ontario, the reasons for their precipitous declines that have been seen, and ways that they can help in a local and international manner
  
• create an emotional and empathetic connection between the learner and nature, specifically Ontario bird species
• introduce some of the science behind conservation work. This includes isotope analysis, nest monitoring, banding techniques and skin/mount making
  
• show that nature is extraordinarily interdependent, and that issues that occur in the forests of other countries (specifically Latin and South America) effect the species in Ontario
• most importantly, show the intrinsic value that these species have and instil a sense of stewardship in the learners that motivates them to actively protect avian species and all biodiversity
  

Blog Introduction

My name is Nicole Vella-Geldart:

I am an activist, environmentalist and now a newly inducted educator, and I am OBSESSED with birds!

Showing off the "photographer's grip" banding pose on a Saw-whet Owl, banded at Thommy Thompson Bird Research Station.

Backyard birds can be attracted with bird baths and feeders, but must be taken care of properly!

Birds will use any last refuse, including this waste water treatment centre's pond - smelly!

Beach protection is important for many species!

Birds connect habitat issues from many different countries. The issues facing ecosystems in other parts of the world have direct consequences on our migratory bird species, such as this Tree Swallow that annually migrates to Central America and the Gulf of Mexico each boreal winter. 

Creating an emotional connection with nature develops a sense of empathetic motivation that drives conservation efforts. I will never forget this experience with a Wandering Albatross which has forever impacted the decisions I make when buying seafood. 

"Keystone" bird species exist as well, such as this Ruby-throated Hummingbird. Most people patiently await their return each spring, and by protecting them on their migratory journey, all other species using their same flying route are protected as well!

Birds are beautiful!

Birds are fun!