Wednesday Workshop 1: Backyard Biodiversity
Bring a notebook and pen. Find a quiet spot outside. Your yard, porch, driveway, or nearby trail. Sit for 15 minutes and focus on listening. Note every sound you hear: bird calls, insect activity, wind in the trees, or water if nearby.
Scan your surroundings for plants, insects, birds, fungi, or other organisms. Photograph anything you find or write a brief description. Use free identification apps such as PlantIdentifier, or ask Grok for real-time identification and background on the species.
At the end of the observation, keep your notes in a folder you've dedicated to the fair. Your discoveries will connect with one of the six observatories (Bird, Bug, Wildlife, Aquatic, Greenhouse, or Planetarium) and help you explore that species in greater depth.
