Nebraska Bird Partnership

NEW to Nebraska!

Project BEAK: Bird Education and Awareness for Kids

What is Project BEAK?

Project BEAK is an interactive, web-based curriculum that contains scientifically accurate information about avian conservation, avian form, function and other adaptations that help birds survive, Nebraska’s unique avian biodiversity, Nebraska’s threatened and endangered birds, plus video clips, interactive games, quizzes and diagrams, additional resources and links, and classroom lesson plans.

If you are a teacher, student, or just someone who likes to learn interesting and unique facts about Nebraska birds, then you should check out how cool and FUN Project BEAK is! The curriculum is presented in modules, each containing subsections and assessment tools, which are targeted at the 5-8 grade level. However, anyone can glean information from the units, whether it’s from the unit covering Adaptations, Habitats, Birds and Humans, or Threatened and Endangered Species.

Go to Project BEAK now

How did this get started?

The Education Workgroup of the Nebraska Bird Partnership (NBP) felt that the more students understand and are connected to the places where they live, the more they would care about what happens on the land. Youth and adults need to understand that they can make a difference for bird conservation and as educators it is our responsibility to show them how.

The NBP (formerly NPABC) Education Workgroup consulted with educators about how best to meet the need for more educational materials related to Nebraska’s eco-regions and native species. Educators were most interested in interactive materials and classroom activities designed to meet State Teaching Standards.

The Education Workgroup, in cooperation with Nebraska Educational Television, with funding from the Nebraska Environmental Trust, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Nebraska Wildlife Conservation Fund (Nongame Check-off), designed and created Project BEAK. Members of the NBP Education Workgroup, including teachers, resource professionals, ornithologists, and Educational Service Unit (ESU) staff, assisted in the development and/ or reviewed content for Project BEAK.

Acknowledgments:

Thanks to everyone who assisted in the development and management of the project with special thanks to the core team members:

Jeanine Lackey - USFWS, project leader and chair of the education workgroup
Michelle Koch - Nebraska Game and Parks Commission (NGPC)
Lindsay Rogers - Project WILD - NGPC
Kelly Rezak - past coordinator-NBP
Jennifer Swerzcek - Nebraska Game and Parks Commission (NGPC)

We would also like to acknowledge and thank:

Donna Schimonitz - NGPC, for her wonderful contributions of artwork
Sarah Johnson - NGPC, NebraskaLAND magazine photo librarian
Joel Jorgensen - NGPC, photo’s, video clips and comments
Mellisa Santiago - NGPC, reviewing content and comments

The creative minds at Nebraska Educational Television (NETV) who made this project possible, kept everyone on track, and provided humor include:

NETV staff:

Scott Leigh-Senior Producer/Webmaster
Rachel Carlson-Media Production Assistant
Stephen Exon-Web Supervisor
Thomas Floyd-Multimedia Graphic Designer
Kristi Koser-Multimedia Graphic Designer

Contractors:

Andy Frederick-Flash Programmer
Peg Sheldrick-Freelance Editor