OBDK In the Classroom

This page offers weeks' worth of materials for your biology and science classrooms. OBDK's free resources aim to enhance your owl pellet dissection activities but can also serve as stand-alone exercises or extra credit opportunities.

Tip 1: VISIT THE VIDEO CLASSROOMS

Join expert teachers, biologists, ecologists, and filmmakers as they explore topics ranging from carnivores to film and photography tips. The videos, which vary in length from 6 to 60 minutes, focus on understanding wildlife habitats, behaviors, and prey. Every class that conducts owl pellet dissections should start with "Kidwings Explores: Barn Owls."

Go with OBDK's Chris Anderson into the field where we learn in five 6-10 minute videos where barn owls live where they do, what makes barn owls a lethal and important hunter, why barn owls choose the food they do,  why barn owls choose certain homes, and the importance of being a barn owl steward. 

Biologist Chris Montero offers a classroom experience that includes "The Natural History of Barn Owls" along with an actual pellet dissection. While you are there, you can also learn about foxes and wolves—available in both English and Spanish!

Explore the exciting videos by bear ecologist and TV host Chris Morgan, which place viewers on the front lines of understanding and conserving various species, particularly the grizzly bear. Not all of our educators are named Chris, but we tried to choose the best ones available. His remarkable influence among ecologists is profoundly inspiring. 

Are you interested in photography and a career in film? Join award-winning filmmaker Alan Lacy and Reel Earth Media as he takes viewers on-site around the world while discussing the best practices for using gear, lighting, landscapes, and more. Whether it's "Filming Wildlife in Africa," editing "Behind the Desk," or exploring "Behind the Scenes of Wildlife Filmmaking," every student will gain valuable insights from Alan.

Tip 2: The Virtual Pellet

Join the adventure to solve the captivating mystery of the missing mouse! Can you team up with Sherlock Bones to gather the essential clues before time runs out? Dive into an exciting and educational experience where you'll explore the fascinating diet and behaviors of barn owls, along with a detailed examination of the anatomy of their prey, including a vole, a bird, or a bat!

In this interactive Sherlock Bones Science Mystery, you'll encounter an owl pellet holding the clues' key. As you carefully dissect the pellet, you'll uncover and examine each bone one by one, piecing together the evidence needed to crack the case.

Engage with the mystery online, or download the app for an immersive experience that combines learning with fun. Plus, you'll have the chance to win prizes along the way! After all, education should be an enjoyable journey full of discoveries!

Tip 3: Record Your Results at OwlPelletData.com!

Using OwlPelletData.com, teachers and students can store and share their data, creating a larger dataset that enhances their understanding of predator-prey relationships. This collaborative approach facilitates more interactive activities, contributing to a community of learners dedicated to conservation.



Dissecting barn owl pellets is an engaging activity that helps students study predator-prey relationships. This hands-on experience allows them to understand the food chain and ecosystem dynamics while learning about various prey species, including small mammals, birds, and insects.

By examining and classifying bones found in the pellets, students improve their observation and analytical skills, fostering scientific inquiry and critical thinking. This activity also deepens their appreciation for the natural world and highlights the role of predators in maintaining a healthy ecosystem.

Join a worldwide effort to study and catalog our findings on owl pellets at OwlPelletData.com.

Tip 4: Our Guides Are Your Guides!

FOR YOUNGER STUDENTS

For Grades 1-4 students, the Sherlock Bones Owl Pellet Activity Guide offers simple explanations, illustrations, a bone chart, and a certificate. This guide is an excellent introduction to owl pellets and includes a narrated game titled Sherlock Bones & The Mysterious Missing Mouse. This game helps young students identify and pronounce common bones from three types of prey, preparing them for the actual activity.

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FOR TEACHERS AND ADVANCED STUDENTS

For older students in Grades 5 through college, the informative OBDK Barn Owl Discovery Guide enhances understanding of barn owls, focusing on their habitat, habits, and prey. This guide is popular among teachers because it can be assigned by chapter. Students will learn about barn owl habitats, their unique characteristics among raptors, and the diversity of their diet.

Here are some ideas to bring this guide to life in your classroom:

  • Use the guide as a teaching tool by guiding your students through each chapter, culminating in the owl pellet dissection activity.

  • Project the guide in your classroom and select relevant chapters and materials that complement your overall curriculum.

  •  Assign the "Habitats, Habits, & Prey" material according to students' academic levels.  

  • Follow this proven and successful teaching approach, which has been utilized in classrooms over a million times, to help set effective objectives for your students.
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Tip 5: Give a Barn Owl A Home

Teachers and students seeking an engaging school activity are invited to consider the Owl Barn: Conservation in a Box on MyOwlBox.com. This educational tool fosters a love for wildlife and addresses environmental conservation topics in an interactive manner.

Incorporating the Owl Barn into the curriculum allows for hands-on experiences that promote ecological awareness and responsibility. Students learn about biodiversity and the role of owls in the ecosystem while developing practical skills through building and monitoring their own owl barns.

This project encourages collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity, enhancing sustainability and habitat preservation discussions. 


Overall, exploring MyOwlBox.com offers an opportunity to connect with nature and emphasize the significance of conservation efforts in a fun way and meaningful way. 

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