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Description
The BioBlitz Classroom Guide introduces students to biodiversity through a hands-on activity where they work together to identify and classify as many species as possible within a set area and timeframe. The guide offers a collection of classroom-ready activities that explore ecology, biodiversity, and environmental stewardship. Designed for flexibility, the activities can be adapted for different age levels and settings. Students build observation and classification skills by learning to distinguish between plants, birds, mammals, and insects. Unlike many citizen science projects, this BioBlitz does not require uploading photos or using digital platforms, making it especially accessible for elementary classrooms and educators.
Students will participate in a variety of activities:
Activity #1 - Egg Carton Nature Scavenger Hunt - students go outdoors for an engaging nature scavenger hunt that transforms them into plant detectives. As they explore, students will develop their observation and classification skills by identifying plants based on their physical characteristics.
Activity #2 – Finding Colours in Nature - Students explore nature’s colours and classify plants based on this visible trait. Using free paint colour palettes from a local hardware store, they work individually or in pairs to find plants that match the shades on their palette.
Activity #3 – Virtual Bird Watching & Building an Eco-Friendly Bird Feeder - In this activity, students engage in virtual bird watching to observe and identify local bird species using online tools or videos. They then apply what they’ve learned by designing and building an eco-friendly bird feeder.
Activity #4 – Birds Chorus Soundscape - Students explore local bird species through virtual bird watching and sound identification. They learn to recognize different bird calls from their region and create their own recorded soundscape inspired by these sounds.
Activity #5 - Let’s Talk About Scat - Students will learn to classify mammals as herbivores, carnivores, or omnivores by examining scat. While this activity is sure to spark some laughter, it offers a fun and effective way for students to develop their skills in identifying and classifying species based on diet—and understanding what happens after digestion.
Activity #6 – Insect or Arachnid? - This activity helps students build their skills in distinguishing and classifying insects and arachnids, both part of the arthropod group. It’s a creative, cross-curricular activity that blends science and art, inviting students to design and invent their own unique bug.
As an extension activity, students are encouraged to participate in a BioBlitz Challenge. Using platforms such as iNaturalist, this provides an excellent opportunity to engage students in authentic scientific observation while connecting them with a broader community of outdoor learners and citizen scientists.
General Assessment
Recommendation of how and where to use it
The resource is written in an accessible and flexible way, making it adaptable across many grade levels, and is best suited for elementary science classes. Even when outdoor learning isn’t possible, this guide provides engaging indoor activities that bring the wonders of nature into the classroom. Students can explore, experiment, and discover, building a meaningful connection to biodiversity and the natural world.
The guide also:
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Fosters scientific thinking: students practice observing, recording, identifying, classifying, and reflecting—skills that form the foundation of inquiry-based learning.
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Encourages creativity and curiosity: hands-on activities inspire exploration, imagination, and a sense of wonder.
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Adapts to your classroom: teachers can easily select and modify activities to suit students’ ages, available resources, and learning environments.
Relevant Curriculum Units
The following tool will allow you to explore the relevant curriculum matches for this resource. To start, select a province listed below.
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- Alberta
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- Kindergarten
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- Science
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- Earth Systems: Understandings of the living world, Earth, and space are deepened by investigating natural systems and their interactions.
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- Science
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- Living Systems: Understandings of the living world, Earth, and space are deepened by investigating natural systems and their interactions.
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- Living Systems: Understandings of the living world, Earth, and space are deepened through investigating natural systems and their interactions
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- Living Systems: Understandings of the living world, Earth, and space are deepened through investigating natural systems and their interactions
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- Science
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- Science: Daily and seasonal changes affect all living things.
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- Science 4: All living things sense and respond to their environment
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- Colours
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- Characteristics and Needs of Living Things
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- Diversity of Living Things
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- Explore Your World: Play and Playfulness
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- Diversity of Life
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- Matter & Materials: Creating Colour
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- Earth and Space Systems: Daily and Seasonal Cycles
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- Life Science: Growth and Changes in Animals
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- Life Systems: Growth and Changes in Plants
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- Science 4: All living things sense and respond to their environment
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- Nunavut
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- Matter & Materials: Creating Colour
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- Earth and Space Systems: Daily and Seasonal Cycles
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- Science
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- Life Science: Growth and Changes in Animals
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- Life Systems: Diversity of Living Things
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- Life Systems: Biodiversity
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- Diversity of Life
- Quebec
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- Living things
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- Living Things
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- Units & Outcomes
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- Daily and Seasonal Changes
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- Animal Growth and Changes
- Grade 3
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- Plant Growth and Changes
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- Science
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- Habitats and Communities
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- Science
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- Science 6: Life Science: Diversity of Living Things
- Yukon Territory
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- Kindergarten
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- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Science: Daily and seasonal changes affect all living things.
- Science: Plants and animals have observable features
- Grade 1
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Science 1: Living things have features and behaviours that help them survive in their environment
- Grade 2
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Science 2: Living things have life cycles adapted to their environment
- Grade 3
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Science 3: Living things are diverse, can be grouped, and interact in their ecosystems
- Grade 4
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Science 4: All living things sense and respond to their environment
Themes Addressed
Ecosystems (2)
- Appreciating the Natural World
- Biodiversity
