Wildlife scientists study wildlife to learn how they live and interact with the environment. These scientists may focus on one wildlife species or a group of species during their studies. They record observations made with their senses and other tools.
- Help your students learn how to record observations with a science notebook.
Help your kids become wildlife scientists. Lead your students on a walk in the neighborhood around your school or building or a nearby park to look for wildlife. Encourage students to use their eyes and ears to watch and listen for any signs of animal life (animal movement, calls, tracks, tunnels, droppings, etc.).
Ask students to record their observations.
- Where do you see wild animals?
- What are the animals doing?
- How do the animals react?
- What signs of animals do you see?
Encourage students to pretend they are trying to observe wildlife in different habitats like wildlife scientists do.
- crawl through a small cave to observe a bat
- wade through a marsh to get closer to a beaver’s dam
- hike through woods thick with trees and vines looking for a woodpecker
Helpful Websites
- Famous Wildlife Biologists
- Missouri Department of Conservation- Conservation Career: Wildlife Biologist
- Scientist Profile: Wildlife Biologists
- All Scientist Profiles from Dragonfly TV
- Wildlife Biologist Profile
- SciGirls Profile: Dr Amelia Merced, Biologist
- Careers: The Wildlife Society – A listing of popular careers working with wildlife.