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Enhance your environmental education and science units with the aid of Seattle Audubon's Education Kits. Originally developed by our Education staff for teacher use in Seattle Public Schools, these kits can also be used by Scout leaders, community centers, or any other adult hoping to educate a group of children about birds and nature!
All kits support Washington State Essential Academic Learning Requirements (EALRs) and Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). Support documents are available upon request.
Each kit comes packed with hands-on props, project and group activity materials, and an easy-to-follow program guide. Materials provided in each kit may include:
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Stuffed animals and/or puppets,
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posters, picture books,field guides, DVDs, and CDs,
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binoculars, electronics, and hand lenses,
- actual bird specimens, including bird skins (birds that die of natural causes and are prepped by Seattle Audubon and the Burke museum for use in education settings), bird wings, bird feet, bird skeletons and/or bones, and feathers.
Program guides are individually developed for each kit and provides instructors with extensive, well-researched background information on a range of topics, as well as instructions to lead an array of fun, age-appropriate group activities and projects. Projects and group activities are adaptable for many ages, group sizes, and settings. No experience with teaching environmental education necessary!
Fee: Varies. $35-$45 per week, (depending on kit) $10 for each additional week. $100 refundable damage deposit required with each rental.
Group Size: Most kits have materials for 24-30 students.
Ages: Most kits include activities appropriate for children in grades 1-8, and can be adapted for use with high school-aged students. (Fledglings is appropriate for pre-K, and kindergarten students.)
Topics: Kit topics include: raptors, local birds, bird adaptations and flight physics, outdoor birding basics, and bird song identification. For a complete list, go to Kit Topic Summaries.
Download our Education Kit Catalogue!
Rental and Reservation Information To reserve an education kit, please fill out our Education Kit and Bird Skin Request Form and email them to kits@seattleaudubon.org. For any questions, please contact Hanae Bettencourt, Education Associate, by phone at (206) 523-8243 ext 108 or by email at kits@seattleaudubon.org. Education kit rentals require minimum one week advance notice. Kits must be reserved ahead of time. We often can not accommodate last-minute rentals.
Teacher Testimonials:
"Fantastic kit! The kids really enjoyed the Symphony of the Birds."
"I wish I knew about you a long time ago! What a great resource!"
"The kids were very engaged."
Bird Skin Rentals
For older students or adult learners, we also rent out specimens from our preserved bird skin and specimen collection. You can borrow up to 20 specimens to enhance your existing biology, ornithology, and/or natural science curriculum. This is a great opportunity to allow students a hands-on, up close look at real birds that goes beyond what books and electronics are able to offer. Rental rate is $25 per week and $35 for two weeks (2 week maximum.) For more information, please call 206-523-8243 x108 or email kits@seattleaudubon.org. To request a collection of bird skins to rent for your education event, download the Education Kit and Bird Skin Request Form and send the completed form to the above email.
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Photo courtesy Amy Cole
SAS Stock Photo
SAS Stock Photo
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