Family Science Backpacks
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Family Science Backpacks
There are five Family Science Backpacks with different themes, they’re packed with supplies, activities, and tools for you to explore the world in your backyard, a local park, the forest, the seashore, and even inside your house. Learn how to be a citizen scientist as you identify birds and mammal tracks, and experience how easy it is to get your children interested in science and nature! Available to borrow for one week, see the staff at the Children’s Desk in the Downtown Library or our Riverton Branch for more information!
Birding
Contents include: binoculars, bird call, bird call identification CD, clipboard case, magnifying glass. Available at the Children’s Desk in the Downtown Library.
Citizen science opportunities:
Celebrate Urban Birds, NestWatch, YardMap, Great Backyard Bird Count
Web resources:
Our Bugs & Butterflies Backpack contains a butterfly net, binoculars, magnifying glass, two way bug viewer, insect habitat, clipboard case.
Bugs & Butterflies
Contents include: butterfly net, binoculars, magnifying glass, two way bug viewer, insect habitat, clipboard case. Available at the Children’s Desk in the Downtown Library and our Riverton Location.
Citizen science opportunities:
Monarch Map, Maine Forest Service, Maine Invasive Species Network
Hiking (trees, wildflowers & invasive species identification)
Contents include: Compass, magnifying glass, binoculars, plant press, head lamp, maps (Peaks Island & Maine’s Southern Coast), clipboard case. Available at the Children’s Desk in the Downtown Library and our Riverton Location.
Citizen science opportunities:
Web resources:
Maine invasive species fact sheets, Maine Invasive Species Network, Portland Trails
Rock Hounding
Contents include: Sand shovel, gold panning bowl and tweezers, flashlight, goggles, safety glasses & case, children’s rock hammer, archaeology trowel, zip lock baggies (to collect specimens), Golden Guide: Rocks, Gems, Minerals, specimen box, scale of hardness, magnifying glass, clipboard case. Available at the Children’s Desk in the Downtown Library and our Riverton Location.
Web resources:
Star Gazing
Contents include: Binoculars, red beam flashlight, folding star chart, moon map, space blanket, magnifying glass, clipboard case. Available at the Children’s Desk at the Downtown Library.
Citizen science opportunities:
Globe at night (light pollution tracking)
Web resources:
Water Wonder
Contents include:Aquascope, magnifying glass, pail & shovel, zip lock baggies (to collect specimens), aquatic dip net, binoculars, clipboard case. Available at the Children’s Desk in the Downtown Library.
Citizen science opportunities:
Citizen stewards water quality monitoring program, Southern Maine Volunteer Beach Monitors
Web resources:
Tide Chart, Maine Department of Marine Resources