Field Biology Class

Online classes that inspire research and exploration in nature

Welcome to Field Biology Class! Our online ornithology classes for teens have been developed by and are taught by an ecologist with extensive field research and teaching experience. Field biology, the study of organisms and their interactions in their natural habitats, is at the core of our classes, and our online classes are a launchpad for exploring nature and engaging in ecological research. Our teaching philosophy prioritizes active participation in the scientific method and inclusivity in the online classroom. Join our live Teen Bird Club to connect with other young birders and share bird sightings. Dive deeper with the Ornithologist in Training Curriculum Series, offering flexible, asynchronous learning and personalized instructor feedback as well as live, online office hours for instructor support and interaction with peers.

Classes with a Published Ecologist

All course offerings from Field Biology Class are taught by Heather Gerth. Heather is a published ecologist with over 20 years of teaching experience and an MS in Zoology and Environmental Education.  

Ornithology Classes for Teens

Teen Bird Club

In this live, weekly, 50 minute course, bird enthusiasts ages 13-18 will have the opportunity to meet other young birders. In each class, students will meet to share their recent bird sightings, swap birding tips, and learn about one taxonomic Family of birds each week. This is an inclusive group that welcomes beginner and expert birders alike.

Ornithologist in Training Curriculum Series

Budding young ornithologists may take any course in the series as a stand-alone course, or may take 3 full years of Ornithology courses that culminate in the development of skills in independent ornithology field research and college-prep scientific writing. All courses are offered in a flexible-schedule, asynchronous format with personalized instructor feedback on course materials and live weekly support "office hours" for additional instructor support and peer interaction. 

Mentoring in Field Research & Scientific Writing

Self-motivated students work with an experienced field ecologist to design, conduct, and communicate a unique field biology research project. This mentoring experience includes 6-10 live, online 1-on-1 mentoring sessions which are typically held every other week to provide students with adequate time to complete research and writing assignments and receive individualized feedback. The class meeting sequence and schedule are personalized to reflect the research interests and science communication goals of each student.