K-12 Science At Home activities for learning about Urban Watershed Management and Biodiversity episode 1 – introducing the virtual field course

First in a series of seven short videos delivered via the Faculty of Science YouTube Channel (streaming) and Yorkspace Open Access Institutional Repository (downloadable mp4 file).

Each video has an accompanying pamphlet with links to activities. Together, they make the content of undergraduate Online Ecology Field Course Modules accessible for students from Kindergarten to Grade 12 who are interested in doing Citizen Science.

Activities use inexpensive equipment which all together cost under $20. Equipment includes every day household items, and an origami microscope and a macro-camera lens that fits all mobile phones. With this, Student Citizen Scientists can undertake Ecology Research and Field Work in their home or garden, on their balcony or in the parking lot, while following safe COVID-19 Social Distancing guidelines.

Seven laboratory modules introduce a range of safe, Kitchen Sink Ecology activities. Episode 1 introduces what field courses are all about.