Herein is a series of school lessons (4 days, 50-75 minutes each) with field data collection and college-career connections to wildlife biology. Students will get to plan and set game cameras near their school campus and collect data on what animals visit their school.
Day 1
Introduction to Local Wildlife
Students will be able to:
- Describe habitat
- Identify where they are in the Klamath Mountains
- Identify animal species from the Klamath Mountains region
- Understand the conservation issues these animals face
- Gain familiarity with the trail cam and an understanding of its broader use (regional monitoring, future career skill, etc.)
Essential Questions:
What wildlife can be found in the Klamath Mountains?
Teaching Resources
Overview: Students will be able to understand conservation issues, how wildlife biologists are monitoring for species, and how trail cameras work.
Additional Resource:
Day 2
Trail Cam Technology, Applications, & Installation
Students will be able to:
- To view, manipulate and understand components of Game Cam
- Speculate optimal settings and location for Cam installation
- Generate Hypothesis for animals and behavior they will capture
- Understand how Game Cams are used professionally and/or recreationally
- Engage in conversation with field experts
- Introduce concept of Citizen Science
Essential Questions:
- What is the most effective way to place a game camera on my campus?
Teaching Resources
Overview: Students will be able to understand conservation issues, how wildlife biologists are monitoring for species, and how trail cameras work.
Materials/Resources: Game Cam, lithium batteries, cables, pencils, and clipboards for students, non-latex gloves for Scat exploration.
Day 3
Analyzing the Data
Students will be able to:
- Understand how land conservation is driven by data like game cameral captures
- Develop techniques to organize and analyze data
- Interpret how animal habitat drives behavior
Essential Questions:
- What is the most effective way to organize the data collected by the game camera?
Teaching Resources
Materials/Resources:
- Internet
- Trail Cam photos downloaded onto memory sticks for student use
- Lab book w additional tracking sheet
- iNaturalist Project: Klamath Mountains Youth Stewards
Day 4
Citizen Science iNaturalist
Students will be able to:
- Critically think about their data and apply this to their research skills
- Synthesize and articulate findings
- Create an independent journal entry based on their findings
Essential Questions:
- What is the most effective way to present the data collected by the game camera?
Teaching Resources
Materials/Resources:
- Internet
- Chrome Book
- iNaturalist Project: Klamath Mountains Youth Stewards