In many ways every child is born a scientist—exploring their world, leading small experiments, asking questions, searching for answers. That innate curiosity and drive to inquiry is what nature conservationist and author Rachel Carson called a sense of wonder.
The National Audubon Society has created Audubon for Kids, bringing together activities from across Audubon’s national network of environmental educators, including Audubon Adventures, an environmental education curriculum for grades 3–5.
Audubon Adventures introduces young people, their families, and their teachers to the fundamental principles by which the natural world functions. It offers a science-based exploration of those principles at work, anchored in nonfiction reading and outdoor and classroom activities that help children care for our planet. The content-rich website, accessible in English and Spanish, provides interactive games, puzzles, and quizzes, as well as topic-related resources for both teachers and students.
Audubon Adventures can easily be integrated into the existing curriculum areas of science, social studies, mathematics, language arts, and creative arts. It is used in classrooms, home schools, afterschool programs, camp programs, and ESL classes.
The goal of Audubon Adventures isn’t to teach children how to name and identify bird species, but rather to give them space to explore and feel connected to the natural world. The lessons refresh each week with a new theme to help teachers and students together find awe and inspiration in nature.