Creativity Flight
The Science Club of the Jardín Botánico de Bogotá in Colombia is an amazing club that works with more than 200 children throughout the ages of 5-12 in diverse activities focused on bird conservation and the environment. The activities revolve around games, drawing, and bird watching. The children get a wonderful opportunity to learn more about specific bird characteristics and behaviors, biological systems, and the importance of these birds to the environment.
At the end of the program, there was an exciting exhibit which all of the participants and their families were invited to! The children chose to focus on the rich Ornithological history of Colombia. There were eggs, nests, and molds of bird tracks everywhere!
The “Semillas” (“Seeds”) group was made up of children ages 5-6, and they talked all about various birds’ eggs and showed off their Aquatic bird drawings. Children ages 7-9 formed the group “Arbustos” (“Shrubs”) and they talked about different bird tracks and nests birds make. They also displayed Bogota’s local bird’s drawings, mostly songbirds. The last group to present was the “Arboles” (“Trees”) group made up of 10-12 year olds. They made beautiful bird masks of native Colombian birds and shared drawings of predatory birds with the audience.
The children also made a digital pamphlet that contained bird information and all of their illustrations for other children to get excited about birds and the environment.
All-focus
Bird Observations
The children’s families were also involved in the Birds of Bogota Observation activity, conducted throughout the program. At the end of the program, 15 different bird species were observed and 111 entries were submitted. Using materials from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, specifically made to include 16 of Bogota’s local birds with pictures of each. The materials helped participants go out and look for birds. Using eBird, they all submitted their data and discussed the birds they saw!
The activities developed by the Ciencias del Jardín Botánico de Bogotá Club help nurture curiosity and love for birds and the environment!
