Please note: Osher Rainforest will be closed for maintenance May 7-9.
Science Action Club recognizes the unique challenges facing out-of-school time programs. Shifts to online learning and physical distancing require new ways of thinking. But you don't need to reinvent the wheel. Use this searchable index to find recommended SAC activities for different learning environments and feel free to modify activities to meet your program's needs. If you’d like help brainstorming ideas, contact SAC at scienceactionclub@calacademy.org.
Tips to Support Your Planning:
- Consider each activity’s mission and keep sight of the main learning goals as you make changes.
- Citizen science can be done anywhere—indoors, outdoors, even through your window.
- Some group activities can be done individually.
- Links to the digital guidebooks and printed materials are located inside each online training under Activity Leader Resources. You can screen-share images of SAC printed materials or videos if you’re teaching online. A list of video links is located near the back of each guidebook.
Looking for coronavirus (COVID-19) info? Click here for resources, FAQs, and interviews with Shannon Bennett, PhD, the Academy's Chief of Science.
Watch a video to see butterflies emerge from their cocoons.
Recommended for: Online Learning
Requires: Internet / Computer
Type: Video
Watch a video to see how satellites can help us save water.
Recommended for: Online Learning, Physical Distancing
Requires: Internet / Computer
Type: Video
Design and build your own bird feeder.
Recommended for: Online Learning, Physical Distancing
Requires: SAC Kit Materials
Type: Art / Science Activity, Design Challenge
Watch a video to explore how environmental changes can affect arthropods.
Recommended for: Online Learning, Physical Distancing
Requires: Internet / Computer
Type: Video
Race to convert ice to water before time runs out.
Recommended for: Online Learning, Physical Distancing
Requires: Household Materials
Type: Game, Science Investigation
Talk about how far the water we drink has traveled.
Recommended for: Online Learning, Physical Distancing
Requires: Household Materials
Type: Celebration
Use the GLOBE app to record sky observations and share them with NASA.
Recommended for: Online Learning, Physical Distancing
Requires: Printed Materials, Internet / Computer
Type: Citizen Science, Science Investigation
Look for birds in flight and contribute to citizen science using eBird.
Recommended for: Online Learning, Physical Distancing
Requires: Internet / Computer
Type: Citizen Science, Science Investigation
Find, collect, and photograph bugs. Share your observations to iNaturalist.
Recommended for: Online Learning
Requires: SAC Kit Materials, Internet / Computer
Type: Citizen Science, Science Investigation, Art / Science Activity
Build a scientific tool to measure wind speed.
Recommended for: Online Learning, Physical Distancing
Requires: Household Materials, Printed Materials
Type: Design Challenge, Science Investigation, Skill Practice
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Extended Learning Backpack
Find extension activities for your club.