Alexander

Not just a walk, but The Expedition Sometimes where you're going outside with a kid or a group of kids  there should be a goal to achieve. It could be more or less artificial — e.g. to have at least 10 species on your checklist in 20 minutes. For some kids works something more «serious». And it is rather flattering for them to be asked to participate in real scientific projects. For a few years now I have been gathering data for The European Breeding Bird Atlas here in Latvia and when it's possible I try to engage little folks into this process. I explain to them the idea behind the project and the value of our observations for birds surviving. And apparently it's fun for the group that it's not just another lesson outside or a recreation walk — no, we're all scientists' helpers here and we have our mission. Before the expedition I try to give everybody their own role according their tempers or current moods. This little fellow wants to be responsible for our the expeditions supplies, this girl wants to make a checklist and so on. It doesn't work for everybody but sometimes it's quite a good way to go.