Around the world, Smithsonian Scientists are tracking the movement and migration of animals and how that movement, and the animals' populations, are affected by humans and climate change. At SERC, we are tracking the movement of fish, sharks, and cownose rays. We can teach you to track the migration and movement of life around your location using game cameras, as well as share how our scientists track and follow animals, such as sharks and rays, that visit the Chesapeake Bay and move into the Atlantic Ocean.

Professional Development

Teacher Professional Development: Using Game Cameras in and out of the Classroom to Track Animal Abundance
Grades: Teaching grades 3^rd-12^th
Duration: Two half-day classes

We’ll cover how to use game cameras in your classroom, school, or location for onsite and remote teaching. We will go through everything from how to choose a camera to setting up and analyzing data with students.
**This class is also offered as part of our “One Health Program” and the Chesapeake Bay Otter Alliance project.

Stem Classes

Game Camera Set-up and Use by Students
Grades: Adaptable for 6^th-12^th
Duration: 2-4 hours, customizable

In this training with your students, we’ll go over how to place and use game cameras to collect data, and how to process that data. This class can be broken into two sections: a pre-reading component and a post-class model data sheet. We will also provide you with a list of camera types (ranging from $40-$100) that you can buy for your classroom. Or, for $80, we can provide you with a camera.
**Also offered as part of our “One Health Program” and the Chesapeake Bay Otter Alliance project.

Movement of Life: Sharks of the Chesapeake Bay Virtual Interactive Field Trip
Grades: Adaptable for 3^rd-7^th
Duration: 1 hour

Did you know that SERC scientists study sharks and rays of the Chesapeake Bay? We’ll introduce you to sharks and shark anatomy, the species that live in our region, and the research that our scientists are doing. This includes a draw and share activity.

Movement of Life: Sharks of the Chesapeake Bay & Eugenie Clark Story Book Reading and Discussion
Grades: Adaptable for 3^rd-5^th
Duration: 1 hour

We’ll introduce you to sharks and shark anatomy, the species that live in the Chesapeake Bay, and the research that our scientists are doing. Afterwards, we’ll read a story book together about the famous woman pioneer shark scientist, Eugenie Clark, and discuss the book.

Movement of Life: How do You Follow a Shark?
Grades: Adaptable for 3^rd-7^th
Duration: 1 hour

How exactly do you follow a shark or ray from the Atlantic Ocean to the Chesapeake Bay? In this program, we’ll introduce students to the sharks of the Bay, SERC’s research into shark and ray migration, and the different methods scientists use to track sharks. We’ll even try our hand at designing and drawing our own shark tag.