The Mission Board 

Field Science in Action — The Digital Aviary in the Classroom 

These photos capture a day of hands-on learning with 6th grade biology students at Shikellamy Middle School, where classroom science met real-world environmental monitoring.

Students explored how technology, artificial intelligence, and field biology intersect through live bird bioacoustic data collected from monitoring stations deployed across the Susquehanna Valley. Using BirdNET-powered systems built on Raspberry Pi platforms, they interacted with real-time bird detections, analyzed biodiversity, and connected ecological patterns to their local environment.

Throughout the lesson, students worked directly with the same tools and data used in active environmental research—engaging in critical thinking, data analysis, and discussions around conservation, technology, and human impact.

This experience was made possible through collaboration with the Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association and DegenSTEAM, helping create opportunities for students to see science not as something abstract, but as a living system unfolding all around them.

Disclaimer:

The worksheets and materials on this page are provided for educational purposes only. Users are solely responsible for ensuring that any field activities comply with all applicable local, state, national, and international laws, regulations, and permits. This includes, but is not limited to, wildlife, fishing, and environmental regulations in your jurisdiction. Always follow safe handling practices when collecting, observing, or interacting with plants or animals. The authors and website are not responsible for any legal, safety, or environmental consequences resulting from the use of these materials.