Try one of these activities at home and get your own taste of field research!

	Bird Survey
	Check out a field guide on birds from your local library and take a walk around your neighborhood. Keep track of how many different kinds of birds you see in a small "field notebook." You can refer to the field guide to help you identify each species.
	Insect Hunt
	Turn over a rotten log to see what insects or other arthropods are making their home in this damp, moist, environment. With parental permission, you might want to collect a few harmless critters like sowbugs or earwigs and keep them in an observation jar for the day. Be sure to create an environment that will make them comfortable -- complete with air holes -- and take them back to their home at the end of the day.
	Leaf Collection
	Start your own collection like we have at the museum. Begin by collecting leaves from the different plants in your yard. Place them between sheets of newspaper and then lay several heavy books on top. This will press them flat and remove the moisture. Once dry, mount them in a notebook and try to identify the species of plant they came from.
	Shore Walk
	Take a walk along a local lake shore or beach. Bring a camera along and take photographs of anything interesting you see washed up on shore. You might also want to make a field sketch or drawing of your discoveries. Scientists aren't always able to bring every specimen home with them. Taking pictures or making illustrations is one way to collect information without collecting the object itself.
	Nature Hike
	Take a walk around your neighborhood and identify areas that you think would be excellent habitats for living things. This is similar to a scientist doing a quick survey to identify a good research site. If you live in the city, don't be too quick to dismiss your neighborhood as wildlife free. Books like Urban Roosts by Barbara Bash and In the City by Ann Cooper are great resources on urban wildlife!