PHILIPSBURG – On Wednesday, July 6, and Thursday, July 7, Binkie van Es, in collaboration with Environmental Protection in the Caribbean (EPIC), will hold the second free Birding Teachers Workshop for anyone interested in improving their knowledge about birding, teaching techniques or incorporating more outdoor activities in their lesson plans.
The workshop is part of the international Birdsleuth Program, established by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. The accredited program is an inquiry-based science curriculum that engages children in scientific study and real data collection.
Birdsleuth programs encourage children to answer their own questions about nature using the scientific process. Its lessons create opportunities for students to spend more time outdoors, connecting with nature by focusing on the fascinating sights, sounds, and behaviours of birds.
Van Es has undergone the official Birdsleuth training program in the Bahamas last year through the sponsorship of BirdsCaribbean. He is looking forward to sharing this knowledge with educators and birding enthusiasts on St. Maarten.
The curriculum holds 10 lesson plans that teach about the importance of birds, bird identification, behaviour, threats to bird populations, bird habitats, use of binoculars and teamwork through various engaging presentations, games and excursions.
During the workshop participants will receive drinks, snacks and lunch. The teachers will also receive a certificate of completion, classroom supplies, and digital copies of all the material and lesson plans at the end of the workshop.
Space for the workshop is limited. EPIC urges those who are interested to sign up by calling: +1(721) 588-1510 or e-mail: laurabijnsdorp@gmail.com.
EPIC thanked the Philipsburg Jubilee Library for providing a location and van Es for all his time, effort and enthusiasm in helping to educate and create more awareness through his birding expertise.
Funding was made possible through the Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act (NMBCA) Fund of the US Fish and Wildlife Service and BirdsCaribbean.
Pic1: Binkie van Es, birding expert who will be conducting the free teachers birding workshops in collaboration with Environmental Protection in the Caribbean (EPIC).
