Join the students of the Kids Restore the Kepler project as they work together to complete their mission: to bring birdsong back to the Kepler Track.
Connected article: Bringing back the birdsong
An article in the 2017 level 2 Connected journal ‘Taking Action’ published by the Ministry of Education, New Zealand.
Background photograph by Richard Meutstege, licensed under CC BY 2.0. Music note illustrations by George Frost, Crown copyright 2017.
This article describes how young people are working with the Department of Conservation and Fiordland Conservation Trust to increase the population of native birds in Fiordland. It investigates the negative impact of introduced pests and describes how students have been involved in the tracking, trapping and decisions involved with returning birds to the Kepler region.
Check your school resource area for the article from the 2017 level 2 Connected journal ‘Taking action’, download it as a google slide presentation from Tāhūrangi or order it from the Ministry of Education.
2017 Connected level 2: Taking Action
The cover of the 2017 level 2 Connected journal ‘Taking Action’ published by the Ministry of Education, New Zealand. This issue includes the articles ‘Down the drain’, ‘Bringing back the birdsong’ and Gardening in the living room.
Photo of kakaruai © Paul Sorrel
The teacher support material (TSM) can be downloaded from Tāhūrangi (Word and PDF files are available). These materials focus on the science capability ‘Engage with science’. Activity suggestions support students to unpack the Predator Free 2050 vision and develop their understanding of ecosystems. Literacy strategies are also suggested, and many additional resource links are provided.
Related content
Birds in my backyard is a ready-to-use cross curricular teaching resource using the Connected article The Takeaway Table. It has a worksheet in Word that educators can customise to meet the needs of their students and teaching programme.
The activity ideas are based on the Science Learning Hub’s Predator Free 2050 resources and include content from the ecosystems concept and the conservation, ecology and birds topics.
The Science Learning Hub has worked with the Department of Conservation to produce a series of webinars focused on getting students involved in environmental action, including the PLD session Pest detectives.
The article 1080 – an overview curates a number of 1080 and pest control resources on the Hub. The article 1080 – a wicked problem provides pedagogical advice on how to use this issue to develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Check out our entire range of Connected articles here. We’ve curated them by topic and concepts.
In Scientists using fake smells to stop predators killing endangered birds discover an alternative innovative pest control method.
Related collection
The Science Learning Hub team has curated an introductory collection of resources to help teach about bird conservation. Login to make this collection part of your private collection and then you can edit, share and collaborate with other – just click on the copy icon. Registering an account for the Science Learning Hubs is easy and free – sign up with your email address or Google account. Look for the Sign up button at the top of each page.
Useful link
The 2011 Connected article ‘It seemed like a good idea at the time’ describes the decision to release ferrets, stoats and weasels into New Zealand.
The Connected journals can be ordered from the Down the Back of the Chair website. Access to these resources is restricted to Ministry-approved education providers. To find out if you are eligible for a login or if you have forgotten your login details, contact their customer services team on 0800 660 662 or email orders@thechair.education.govt.nz.
Acknowledgement
The Connected series is published annually by the Ministry of Education, New Zealand.
