Taking Flight - Next Level

Taking Flight - Next Level is an award-winning program aimed at teaching science, technology, engineering, math, and art to students 13+

Taking Flight Next Level continues into the fall with more student-driven inquiry, research, art, and weekly time in nature. Join us for this engaging, award-winning program! Drop-off is 9 am and pick-up is 12 pm for ages 14-18 (Eager 13’s are also welcome).

Check out this website the students made about their experience: https://www.takingflightnextlevel.com

Taking Flight – Next Level (TFNL) is a collaborative STEAM program challenging students to come up with innovative projects that address important conservation questions within the context of ornithology and community science. TFNL provides access to these unique skills, training, and sustained environmental learning in a research and field setting. TFNL aims to provide this program for free to students who would not otherwise have this opportunity and to increase the representation of BIPOC students in environmental and STEM fields. TFNL kicked off in Fall of 2021 with students from all backgrounds and cultures.

The program blends original scientific research with hands-on wildlife experience for a truly unique learning experience. The science focuses on the ways Northern Cardinals, Kentucky’s state bird, respond to human activity, including habitat change and introduced and invasive species of plants (such as amur honeysuckle). Additionally, students gain a stronger connection to the nature that co-exists with them. Interacting with wildlife on an up-close and personal level provides abundant opportunities for awe and wonder. These connections help to solidify or begin a lifelong relationship with nature. Connections to nature during various developmental stages of youth have been shown to improve physical and mental health.*

Core Objectives

• Hands-on wildlife opportunities

• Creative science

• Artistic expression

• Reflective time in nature

Benefits of Wildlife Interaction and Nature-Based Education*

• Reduced stress and anxiety

• Improved directed attention, self-discipline, cooperation, and confidence

• Better grades

• Enhanced leadership and communication skills

• Greater awareness and connection to nature, place, and the environment

• Promotion of environmental stewardship

Skills Gained

• Improve scientific inquiry, data collection, and interpretation

• Comfortable with wildlife and spending time outside in a variety of weather conditions

• Research on local bird communities with a university research lab and faculty

• Field bird identification, by sight and song, of at least five common urban birds

• Illustration, music, video, and other art skill development

Opportunities

• Contribute to long-term research on Northern Cardinal populations 

• Participate in research projects that may lead to publication in peer-reviewed journals**

• Certified in bird-banding techniques (available to ages 14+)

• Teamwork and problem-solving for urban bird conservation issues

• Art inspired by science and nature with possibilities for public display

** Students participating in studies that result in publication will be cited as authors, which is very beneficial for college applications or resumes. Poster presentations at the Kentucky Academy of Sciences are also available and have won awards.

Typically, students check traps, collect the data and measurements, and then have a chance to handle the birds before releasing them back into the wild. Students have time each class to sit and wonder and come back to the group, share their "I Wonder" concepts, and begin introductory research into some of the questions raised. Students have the opportunity to design experiments, create art with local artists to guide them, and have up-close wildlife encounters. It is fun, education, and science wrapped up together!

This fall we will create a mentor opportunity for returning students to also build leadership skills with new students. We will continue to develop our student-designed website to share the experience with others.

*Resources
There are hundreds of sources related to the benefits of a nature-based education, but below are a few that highlight overlaps of our specific goals and program featuring urban locations.

Franco, L.S.; Shanahan, D.F.; Fuller, R.A. A Review of the Benefits of Nature Experiences: More Than Meets the Eye. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14, 864.

Barrera-Hernández, L.F., Sotelo-Castillo, M.A., Echeverría-Castro, S.B., Tapia-Fonllem, C.O., (2020). Connectedness to nature: Its impact on sustainable behaviors and happiness in children. Frontiers in Psychology, 11.

Kuo, M., Barnes, M., Jordan, C., (2019). Do experiences with nature promote learning? Converging evidence of a cause-and-effect relationship. Frontiers in Psychology, 10.

Banner artwork created by @bretthartsfieldart