Beyond the Classroom: Resources for continued science learning

Visiting the Museum
The Nature in the Classroom education kits are designed to inspire curiosity and fascination for the natural world. It is our hope that students using our kits will desire to continue learning, discovering and asking questions about the world around them. Visiting the museum is an ideal "next step" for encouraging this desire to learn. During a trip at the museum, students will have the opportunity to see some of our more exotic specimens, learn how a specimen is prepared and gain a better understanding and appreciation for museums and museum collections.
To schedule a museum visit, see the form below. For questions, contact Mary Krauszer or Robert Niese.

Museum Visit Form

Citizen Science Projects
Anyone can be a scientist. With the help of Citizen Science Projects like the Cornell Lab of Ornithology's "Project FeederWatch" or the National Phenology Network's "Nature's Notebook," our daily observations of the natural world become valuable data sets that contribute to novel scientific research around the country. All you have to do is observe!

• The Washington State NatureMapping Program
• The Great Sunflower Project, Backyard Bee Count
• National Phenology Network, Nature’s Notebook
• Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Project Feeder Watch
• Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Celebrate Urban Birds
• Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Project Pigeon Watch
• Cornell Lab of Ornithology, NestWatch
• Cornell Lab of Ornithology, NestCams
• eBird, BirdSleuth
• The Great Backyard Bird Count
• The WildLab iPhone Bird and Marine Wildlife Watch
• Astronomy Citizen Science Projects
• Citizen Science Database
• More Citizen Science Projects 

Continue to Explore, Learn and Discover
More information for curious minds:

• Slater Museum of Natural History, browse collections
• Slater Museum of Natural History, wing image collection
• Burke Museum of Natural History, browse collections
• Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, species fact sheets
• Seattle Audubon Society BirdWeb guide to birds of Washington
• The Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds guide
• Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Alaska's Species Information (invertebrates and vertebrates)
  • A Teacher’s Guide to Skulls of Alaskan Mammals, additional tooth/skull lessons
• Smithsonian Homonid Mystery Skull, interactive identification game
• eNature online field guide to North American mammals and other animals
• BugGuide.net All About Bugs!

Local Opportunities
Get involved in your local community with nature walks, classes, camps, adventure, exploration and more!

• Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium Education Programs, and Kids & Family Programs
• Tacoma Nature Center
• W.W. Seymour Botanical Conservatory, check-out their Plant Tours and Education Materials
• Metro Parks Nature and Outdoor Programs, and PDF (September - December 2012)
• Tahoma Audubon Society
  • Monthly Birding Trips
  • Citizen Science
  • Youth Programs (Camps, Classes, and Field Trips)
• Tacoma Urban Forestry Project
• Fort Steilacoom Park Discovery Trail