Teachers & Schools
About the Aussie Bird Count
The Aussie Bird Count aims to engage school communities in the natural world while getting to know the birds in their local schoolyard through participation in a simple, fun, all-ages activity that can be done anywhere.
By taking part in the Aussie Bird Count the students will become citizen scientists. Citizen science creates opportunities for students to connect with the natural world, gain scientific skills, and learn about topics such as life cycles, habitats, adaptations, and interrelationships. This can be a gateway to many exciting discoveries and creates a partnership between the students and professional scientists to help answer questions scientists couldn’t answer on their own.
About the lesson plans
We offer two kinds of lesson plans: one is a less formal learning package for teachers and educators, aimed at children ages 3+. The other is intended for teachers of students in Years 5 and 6 and is aligned with the Australian Curriculum (F–10 Version 9.0). However, these lesson plans can also be adapted for younger students.
Comprising of two lessons and suggested activities, these lesson plans are an inquiry-based curriculum resource that encourages students to engage with citizen science through monitoring birds during the Aussie Bird Count. As an introduction to citizen science and standard bird survey techniques, students study the birds and habitats of their school grounds (or surrounds) and collect, analyse and interpret data. Lessons are designed to be modified to suit the needs of students, and activities can be substituted.
Additional materials
In addition to the lesson plans, we are offering the following as FREE downloads for you and your class to enjoy:
Posters
A4 Backyard Birds Posters (Brisbane, Canberra, Darwin, King Island, NSW, Tasmania, Tea Tree Gulley, Sunshine Coast, Toowoomba, and Victoria only)
Bird Bingo
Click on the cards below to download a printable A4 file that you can print out and play Bird Bingo during your Count.
Colouring pages
How to get your school involved
To get involved all you need to do is register your school using the form below. Once registered, you will receive an email with links to download the lesson plans and additional materials.
