Want to add a bit of nature into your classroom? Hawk Mountain Sanctuary in Berks County will host a professional educator workshop designed for Pennsylvania elementary and middle school teachers on how to use its live kestrel webcam as a learning tool.

The workshop is free and will take place on March 25 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Hawk Mountain Education Building. To register, call Director of Education Erin Brown at 610-756-6000 x208.

Sponsored by Lyric Wild Bird Seed, teachers will enjoy a light complimentary breakfast then review with Hawk Mountain educators the kestrel webcam and its footage, the lesson plans and journaling options, and learn how to use the materials in conjunction with live internet footage or recorded video links.

The workshop also will include a presentation by Senior Research Biologist Dr. Jean-Francois Therrien who coordinates the Sanctuary’s long-term American kestrel study.

All participants will receive complimentary classroom poster, books, and maps along with copies of the curricula and learning activities and every participant will be invited to join Dr. Therrien in the field during summer months to tag kestrel chicks.

Teachers who complete lesson plans or journaling with their students will also earn a free classroom visit by a Sanctuary educator and a live American kestrel.

Erin Brown, Director of Education at Hawk Mountain, says that raptor education workshops help to eliminate misconceptions about birds of prey and help the Sanctuary to reach a larger audience.

"Our goal is to share our most current research and discoveries and incorporate that into unique teaching tools. Curricula that uses our webcam is a great way to help young people understand the role of raptors in the environment," she says.

For more information on programs, initiatives and other special events, visit the Hawk Mountain Sanctuary website.  Click Here to sign up for regular updates from Hawk Mountain.

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