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.
Keep a piece of tissue afloat for as long as possible.
Recommended for: Online Learning
Requires: Household Materials, SAC Kit Materials
Type: Game, Art / Science Activity
Look for evidence of birds 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
Visit a local park to look for signs of scat.
Recommended for: Online Learning, Physical Distancing
Requires: Household Materials
Type: Call to Action, Skill Practice
Look for spider webs in your neighborhood and observe the prey they catch.
Recommended for: Online Learning, Physical Distancing
Requires: SAC Kit Materials, Internet / Computer
Type: Call to Action
Use a carbon footprint calculator to measure your household's CO2 output.
Recommended for: Online Learning, Physical Distancing
Requires: Internet / Computer
Type: Video, Call to Action
Design, build, test, and tweak your own model volcano.
Recommended for: Online Learning, Physical Distancing
Requires: Household Materials, Internet / Computer
Type: Video, Design Challenge, Science Investigation
Watch a Barred owl regurgitate pellets and explore more from BirdSleuth.
Recommended for: Online Learning, Physical Distancing
Requires: Internet / Computer, Household Materials
Type: Video
Watch a video about how humans learn from the engineering skills of spiders.
Recommended for: Online Learning, Physical Distancing
Requires: Internet / Computer
Type: Video
Watch a video to learn about the connections between volcanoes and clouds.
Recommended for: Online Learning, Physical Distancing
Requires: Internet / Computer
Type: Video
Pages
Have questions?
Let us know how we can help.
SAC Educator Portal
Are you a SAC trainer or activity leader? Log in to your account for access to online trainings, bonus resources, and more.
Extended Learning Backpack
Find extension activities for your club.