Biologist David Anderson normally works alone--in his office and lab at Wake Forest University or in the wild studying seabirds. His newest project, however, connects him to thousands of elementary school students who are joining him in the satellite-tracking of two species of albatross. Anderson is tracking the albatross, which nest on Tern Island in Hawaii, to gather data on how the availability of food affects the seabirds' extremely slow reproduction. This project, however, serves another purpose: sparking the children's interest in science through active participation in actual research. "This project seemed the perfect opportunity to engage school-age kids in science," says Anderson of the NSF-supported study. "And, the data will help us answer basic science questions about declining albatross populations worldwide." Visit the Albatross Project's Web site at www.wfu.edu/albatross. To participate in the albatross study, click on "Join the Project." |
 The Albatross Project has already tracked several birds through marathon flights, including round trips from Tern Island to Alaska's Aleutian Islands (4,172 miles) and the San Francisco Bay (5,348 miles).
Photo by Paul Sievert |
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