Hawks Aloft, Inc.
Conservation, Avian Research, and Education
PO Box 10028 - Albuquerque, NM 87184 - (505) 828-9455

 

 

Students playing the "Adaptation Game".

 

The Education Department at Hawks Aloft is staffed by two naturalists who work together to conduct educational programs, which reach over 20,000 students throughout New Mexico annually.  Our educational philosophy is that learning should be fun, and that students will retain more information if they actively participate in a presentation.  All of our programs feature live, non-releasable birds of prey.  However, rather than simply conducting a show-and-tell with our birds, our programs are fully interactive.  In addition to the live raptors, our presentations include games and creative activities that encourage questions and provoke discussion about the natural world around us.  This integrative approach to learning has proven effective in providing an increased knowledge of concepts and improving environmental attitudes. 

Single-visit programs:

Hawks Aloft educators travel to schools throughout New Mexico with age-specific, single-visit programs for students.  These programs last between 30 minutes and 2 hours, depending on available time and age of the students. The content of the presentation is designed to match teacher and curriculum needs.  Our goal is to provide a hands-on learning experience.  We bring two live, permanently injured, non-releasable raptors to each program, along with educational games and activities. Teachers receive a pre-packet of information and activities to enhance their students' experience.

* Programs farther than a two-hour round trip from Albuquerque may incur additional mileage fees.

Adult Presentations:

The staff at Hawks Aloft offers a wide variety of presentations designed for adults.  The speakers that we choose for each presentation are all experts in their field. 

If you do not see a topic of interest to you, please inquire about a special program for your group.  We may be able to accommodate your request.

Booth Presentations:

Hawks Aloft naturalists and volunteers attend special events throughout the year.  These include educational booths at local events and organizations.  We are regular participants in the New Mexico State Fair in Albuquerque every September, the Festival of the Cranes in Socorro every November, and the Festival of the Cranes in Colorado every March.  We also conduct programs for special interest groups, such as Boy Scouts, retirement communities, and conservation or civic organizations.  Hawks Aloft presentations are intended for education and conservation, and we do not participate in events designed solely for entertainment purposes. 

Booth Presentations:  $175/day. 

Multi-visit programs:

In 2000, Hawks Aloft began offering grant-funded, multiple-visit programs within the state.  These programs have become increasingly popular, and are among the most requested by teachers.  In addition to being grant-funded, these programs offer a focused, ongoing curriculum that fits easily into State Science Content Standards.  The multiple visits enable a relationship between students and the educator to develop, which facilitates a more comfortable learning environment.  Hawks Aloft features two types of grant-funded, multi-visit programs for schools in New Mexico. 

Living with the Landscape Program:

Living with the Landscape (LWL) is a five-visit program that spans one school year.  LWL Programs are generally awarded to 4th-6th grade classes in rural schools, outside of the Albuquerque area.  During the LWL Program, students learn about birds of prey through interactive hands-on games, projects, and the use of live, non-releasable birds of prey.  Two field trips to various State Parks, National Monuments, or participating private lands are included in the LWL Program.  The program concludes with conservation projects designed and implemented by the classroom.  Past projects have included building wildlife blinds, bird feeders, birdhouses at nature centers, conducting anti-littering or water conservation campaigns, and building a self-guided nature trail on the schoolyard.  LWL Programs are completely grant-funded through the generosity of our sponsors.  (Please visit our Sponsors page to view a list of these important companies).  

Program Fees:

All of the multi-visit programs are grant-funded and are offered to schools at no cost or a very reduced cost.  Each class receives a 23-page teacher-student handbook, which covers all of the LWL subject matter.  Each section includes: key plants and animals, topography, locations within the state, floral and faunal adaptations, issues and solutions, sample classroom projects and activities, and additional resources and contacts.  At Hawks Aloft, we believe in a multi-directional approach to learning.  We request that teachers be involved in the programs, and willing to take the time to review our materials with their students using this handbook.  Call to reserve a spot for your class soon!

Cavity Nesting Bird Program:

The Cavity Nesting Bird (CNB) Program is a four-visit program offered to classes in and around the Albuquerque area.  During the CNB Program, students are introduced to cavity nesting birds, such as American Kestrels, screech-owls, bluebirds, and woodpeckers.  Through a wide variety of interactive games, lessons, and projects, students learn about the importance of protecting old-growth forests and open fields for these birds.  Students build wooden nestboxes, determine the best location for them, and hang them around the schoolyard.  We then teach the students proper scientific methods for observing these boxes and collecting data.  All schools involved with the CNB Program send their data to Hawks Aloft.  These data are compiled to create a scientific record of cavity nesting birds.  In addition, students are able to observe a population of Burrowing Owls at PNM’s Reeves Station via webcam. 

Program Fees:

All of these programs are grant funded and are offered to schools at no cost or a very reduced cost.  Each class receives a 25-page teacher-student handbook, which covers all of the program topics.  Each section includes information about key cavity nesting birds, their habitat, locations within the state, games and activities for kids, instructions on how to observe the nest boxes, and additional resources.  At Hawks Aloft, we believe in a multi-directional approach to learning.  We request that the teachers be involved in the programs, and willing to take the time to review our materials with their students using this handbook.

Contact Us!

If you are interested in any of the programs described here, or have questions about the presentations, please contact us.  Single visit programs should be scheduled at least three weeks in advance.  During the school year, our schedule fills up rapidly, and we recommend scheduling as early as possible.  Contact us at:

Hawks Aloft, Inc.
(505) 828-9455
rebecca@hawksaloft.org