A Young Explorer’s Guide to Observing Nature

You do not need an expensive laboratory to start asking scientific questions. A notebook, a pencil and a safe place outdoors can help you notice patterns in the natural world.

Try recording the weather and the types of plants or birds you see at the same time each day. Write down what you observe before guessing why it happened. Over several days, look for changes and think about what else might explain them.

Ask a trusted adult to supervise outdoor activities. Do not touch unfamiliar plants, fungi or animals. Good science begins with curiosity, careful observation and respect for nature.