Did you know that some goldfish have lived in a small pond for 200 winters? Even when the weather gets super cold, with wind chills reaching 45 degrees below zero, these goldfish survive! They stay calm and wait for the cold to pass. This teaches us an important lesson: sometimes, we just need to stay calm and patient during tough times. Great job, little fish!
Hello, and welcome to my backyard! I have a big bird feeder here, and I love watching the birds that come to visit. Right now, there’s a red-winged blackbird making a lot of noise because I just filled the feeder. It’s fun to see nature up close, and you can do it too, even from your home!
While it’s important to enjoy nature, it’s also a good idea to stay inside and avoid large crowds when necessary. Staying safe is important, and you can still enjoy nature by watching birds from your window or exploring online resources.
Right now, many places like museums are closed to keep everyone safe. It’s important to follow advice from experts and practice social distancing. I’m staying safe at home with my cat and birds, and I hope you’re taking care of yourself and your family too. Remember, we’re all in this together, and you can be a hero just by relaxing at home!
Even though we can’t visit museums in person, there are lots of amazing things to explore online. The Field Museum has a ton of educational resources you can check out from home. You can take virtual tours of museums around the world and learn about natural history and more. It’s like going on an adventure without leaving your house!
We’re also working on a cool project called “Prehistoric Roadtrip,” a documentary series that will air on PBS soon. It’s been a big project, and I can’t wait for you to see it this summer!
While you’re at home, think about fun ways to stay curious. You could try science experiments with things you have around the house or create a little habitat to attract local wildlife. If you have any fun ideas, share them with others!
Remember, there’s so much to learn and explore, even from home. Stay curious and keep discovering new things!
Imagine you are a goldfish living in a pond during winter. Create a short story or comic strip about how you would survive the cold. Think about what you would do to stay calm and patient. Share your story with the class!
Set up a bird feeder outside your window and observe the birds that visit. Keep a journal of the different species you see and note any interesting behaviors. Try to identify the birds using online resources or a bird guidebook.
Take a virtual tour of a museum online. Choose one exhibit that interests you and write a short report about what you learned. Share your findings with your classmates and discuss what you found most fascinating.
Conduct a simple science experiment using materials you have at home. For example, try making a homemade compass or a mini volcano. Record your observations and explain the science behind your experiment to the class.
Design and build a small habitat in your backyard or on your balcony to attract local wildlife. Use natural materials like sticks, leaves, and rocks. Observe what animals visit your habitat and discuss how it helps them survive.
Here’s a sanitized version of the provided YouTube transcript:
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These goldfish have survived in this small pond for 200 winters. There should be ten of them here, and they have endured a polar vortex with wind chills of 45 degrees below zero. Here they are, they came back! They just hunker down and wait it out. It’s a lesson we could all learn from in these trying times: just hunker down, bury yourself in some leaf litter, and we’ll make it through. Good job, little fishies! You’re doing great!
[Music] [Applause]
Hello, Tallulah! Welcome to my backyard and my large platform bird feeder. It’s one of almost two dozen that I have strategically placed so that I can see birds from my house. At one point, we made a video encouraging everyone to get involved in nature, and you should still follow that advice if it involves social distancing. But maybe the title of this video should be “Stay Inside for Now.” Please stay inside if you can and avoid large crowds.
There’s a very vocal red-winged blackbird honking at me. I just refilled the bird feeder, and he seems eager to eat.
A few updates: the museum is closed until May 1st. We’re following the advice of the CDC and practicing social distancing. Everyone is at home, and I’m safe with my cat and birds, so I feel alright. I hope you’re doing well and taking care of yourself and your family during these unprecedented times. It’s important to manage the overwhelming amount of information and the rapid changes happening around us.
We’re all in this together. You can feel like a superhero just by relaxing on your couch and watching Netflix. What a time to be alive!
In terms of updates, we’re working on new content that you’ll be able to see soon. The Field Museum has a wealth of amazing educational resources on their website, including ways to interact with the museum from home. We have seven years of material available. If you have a curiosity about natural history, there are plenty of resources to explore.
The museum’s network has compiled an extensive list of virtual resources, including museum tours and e-learning activities, not just for natural history museums but for museums worldwide. It’s an incredible list, and I’ve spent a lot of time exploring it and virtually visiting various museums.
We’re also focused on finishing “Prehistoric Roadtrip,” a three-part documentary series I’ve been working on with WTTW, Chicago’s public broadcasting station. It’s set to air on PBS in just a few months. I’ve dedicated two and a half years to this project, and it’s on track to be released this summer. More information on how to watch will be provided soon.
I just saw a hawk fly by! My neighbor needs to get some work done on their roof; I noticed some shingles are falling off. I love birds, and I hope you’re taking care of yourself. If you have ideas for how people can stay curious while at home—whether it’s science experiments with everyday objects or creating a habitat to attract local wildlife—please share your suggestions. Everyone would love to see them!
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This version removes any informal language, personal anecdotes, and specific references that may not be suitable for all audiences while maintaining the overall message and context.
Goldfish – A small, colorful fish often kept in home aquariums. – In our science class, we learned how to take care of a goldfish by keeping its tank clean and feeding it properly.
Nature – The natural world, including plants, animals, and landscapes. – During our field trip, we observed the beauty of nature in the forest and learned about different types of trees and animals.
Birds – Warm-blooded animals with feathers, wings, and beaks, most of which can fly. – We studied how birds build their nests and how they migrate to warmer places during winter.
Safe – Free from harm or danger. – Our teacher explained how important it is to wear safety goggles during science experiments to keep our eyes safe.
Explore – To investigate or study something in detail. – We decided to explore the nearby pond to learn about the different insects and plants living there.
Resources – Materials or substances that are useful to people, such as water, minerals, and forests. – In our environmental studies class, we discussed how important it is to conserve natural resources like water and trees.
History – The study of past events, particularly in human affairs. – We learned about the history of the Earth and how it has changed over millions of years.
Projects – Planned activities or tasks that have a specific goal, often involving research or creation. – For our science projects, we each chose a different planet to research and present to the class.
Wildlife – Animals that live and grow in natural conditions, not domesticated. – The wildlife in the national park includes deer, foxes, and many species of birds.
Experiments – Scientific tests conducted to discover something unknown or to test a hypothesis. – We conducted experiments in the lab to see how different liquids affect plant growth.
