Songbirds, Shorebirds, and Stewardship: Engaging Your Students with the Science of Breeding, Nesting, and Tracking Migration
A 3-Day Summer Professional Development Institute for Grades 5-8 Educators
August 13th-15th, 2025
Songbirds, Shorebirds, and Stewardship engaged educators with the science of breeding, nesting, and tracking migration. Participants spent time learning about and participating in community science with local organizations, including Manomet Conservation Science and Waquoit Bay.
This three-day institute included 19 educators ranging from fourth grade to high school teachers as well as district leaders. Day one focused mainly on landbirds and songbird science. Teachers participated in a variety of activities using “student hat” to guide their exploration of the benefits and challenges of each investigation. Wade Institute staff wove in pedagogical content through Science Journals and the Science and Engineering Practices this first day.
On day two, educators were able to visit our living laboratory at Manomet Conservation Sciences, the banding lab. Bird banders were able to share their experiences and expertise with the teachers regarding tracking techniques, the banding process, data collection, climate resilience of songbirds and more. Participants were able to gain an understanding of how banding information provides valuable data about native bird populations and migration. They even got to see multiple live birds up close after they were processed through the lab. This day’s pedagogy included using Phenomena Based Learning in the classroom and the many benefits of anchoring phenomena and investigative phenomena.
Day three was focused on shorebirds. Educators got out in the field with their binoculars to identify and practice surveying shorebirds at Ellisville Beach. With support from Manomet staff and scientists, educators learned to differentiate between shorebirds and ‘birds of the shore’ as well as the adaptations that set apart songbirds from shorebirds.
This was a wonderful opportunity to collaborate as a newly merged Environmental Education & Outreach Team here at the Wade Institute for Science Education at Manomet Conservation Sciences.
Collaborating Partner:
Manomet Conservation Sciences
