# Educators **URL:** https://forum.inaturalist.org/c/educators/30.md [Latest](https://forum.inaturalist.org/latest.md) · [Categories](https://forum.inaturalist.org/categories.md) · [Tags](https://forum.inaturalist.org/tags.md) --- ## [About the Educators category](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/about-the-educators-category/15125)
**Author:** [@tiwane](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/tiwane)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [August 4, 2020, 8:25pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/about-the-educators-category/15125 "2020-08-04T20:25:25Z")
This category is a place to discuss the use of iNaturalist and Seek by iNaturalist in educational settings. Educators and community members can discuss ideas and experiences, share curricula, and ask questions related to… --- ## [Question about starting a project for my school](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/question-about-starting-a-project-for-my-school/85938)
**Author:** [@tillsmissingpencil](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/tillsmissingpencil)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [September 30, 2026, 12:21am UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/question-about-starting-a-project-for-my-school/85938 "2026-09-30T00:21:47Z")
I’m hoping to make a project for my school to contribute to, but most of the students don’t have iNat and I don’t know how many are willing to download it. Would it be possible for one student to have an account and then… --- ## [Confusing animals/Taxonomy Misconceptions](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/confusing-animals-taxonomy-misconceptions/29192)
**Author:** [@elkins456](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/elkins456)\ **Replies:** 173\ **Last updated:** [September 30, 2026, 12:06am UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/confusing-animals-taxonomy-misconceptions/29192 "2026-09-30T00:06:09Z")
I’m writing up a list of misconceptions that people (particularly high schoolers) have about classifying animals. I would love to hear what animals you think people often confuse or misplace (e.g., “A dolphin is a fish!”… --- ## [Biological community lessons](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/biological-community-lessons/83627)
**Author:** [@anneclewis](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/anneclewis)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [August 27, 2026, 9:58pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/biological-community-lessons/83627 "2026-08-27T21:58:18Z")
I’m looking for activities and lessons that use iNaturalist to explore the concept of biological communities. This is for a 100 level undergrad environmental science class. --- ## [Americans With Disabilities Act, Digital Accessibility, and iNaturalist](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/americans-with-disabilities-act-digital-accessibility-and-inaturalist/83176)
**Author:** [@m\_whitson](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/m_whitson)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [August 4, 2026, 4:12pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/americans-with-disabilities-act-digital-accessibility-and-inaturalist/83176 "2026-08-04T16:12:34Z")
Due changes in the Americans with Disabilities Act, my university is requiring that all of our digital resources be updated to make sure they’re ADA compliant and accessible to all. This includes websites that we link to… --- ## [iNaturalist Bingo Card Generator by @kylenessen](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/inaturalist-bingo-card-generator-by-kylenessen/67890)
**Author:** [@kylenessen](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/kylenessen)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [July 6, 2026, 9:24am UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/inaturalist-bingo-card-generator-by-kylenessen/67890 "2026-07-06T09:24:04Z")
I just finished a 2-week summer course that took students to central California (Cambria/San Simeon) and Santa Rosa Island. The purpose of the class was to get students excited about coastal ecology and the biodiversity … --- ## [A gamified experience of iNaturalist for students by @richardbolland](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/a-gamified-experience-of-inaturalist-for-students-by-richardbolland/76052)
**Author:** [@richardbolland](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/richardbolland)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [June 11, 2026, 11:22am UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/a-gamified-experience-of-inaturalist-for-students-by-richardbolland/76052 "2026-06-11T11:22:18Z")
Hey everyone, I’ve tried to create a gamified experience to help students have fun and learn about different animal species and where they live. It’s called Wild Guess and it’s available as a web game. I’d love your t… --- ## [Display board and tri-fold](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/display-board-and-tri-fold/76765)
**Author:** [@safechrislaurie](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/safechrislaurie)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [May 14, 2026, 6:28pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/display-board-and-tri-fold/76765 "2026-05-14T18:28:03Z")
Hello. Wasn’t sure everyone had seen this cool board you can get for free. I wasn’t sure I would be eligible as an iNaturalist Ambassador, but it worked! Also wanted to share a tri-fold display board I made for our upcom… --- ## [Commentary data retrieval from the API](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/commentary-data-retrieval-from-the-api/78908)
**Author:** [@masontf08](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/masontf08)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [May 13, 2026, 3:24am UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/commentary-data-retrieval-from-the-api/78908 "2026-05-13T03:24:33Z")
I am a student researching commentary data of citizen science platforms and was wondering if anyone had any insight into retrieving comments (observational message conversations) from specific observations. I have attemp… --- ## [Linking pupil Seek app to teacher iNaturalist account: way to set up a "holding area" to check photos](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/linking-pupil-seek-app-to-teacher-inaturalist-account-way-to-set-up-a-holding-area-to-check-photos/78484)
**Author:** [@wildingweespaces](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/wildingweespaces)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [May 4, 2026, 8:55pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/linking-pupil-seek-app-to-teacher-inaturalist-account-way-to-set-up-a-holding-area-to-check-photos/78484 "2026-05-04T20:55:54Z")
I co-ordinate a citywide schools nature project and would like to support teachers to use iNaturalist with their classes so that data collected contributes to citizen science, and so that we can record their progress in … --- ## [Digital Microscope for Students (Chromebooks)](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/digital-microscope-for-students-chromebooks/38747)
**Author:** [@lamagswag](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/lamagswag)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [April 15, 2026, 11:11pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/digital-microscope-for-students-chromebooks/38747 "2026-04-15T23:11:20Z")
Hi everyone, I was looking for some recommendations for digital microscopes that are easy to use for students to be able to explore and take pictures with. Preferably one that connects to Chromebooks. There are a lot … --- ## [Feedback on a learning app for edible wild plants using iNat (via GBIF) observation data](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/feedback-on-a-learning-app-for-edible-wild-plants-using-inat-via-gbif-observation-data/76493)
**Author:** [@franasa](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/franasa)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [March 26, 2026, 10:52pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/feedback-on-a-learning-app-for-edible-wild-plants-using-inat-via-gbif-observation-data/76493 "2026-03-26T22:52:01Z")
Hi everyone, I’d love to get some perspectives from this community on a project I’m working on, my intention is truly not to promote it, but to get genuine feedback on whether peers find the approach meaningful. I’m de… --- ## [Introduced tag not applicable to captive/cultivated plants?](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/introduced-tag-not-applicable-to-captive-cultivated-plants/76502)
**Author:** [@jsalt](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/jsalt)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [March 12, 2026, 5:11am UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/introduced-tag-not-applicable-to-captive-cultivated-plants/76502 "2026-03-12T05:11:43Z")
Hi there, I’m running a class project modified from the Backyard Beetles and Pollinators project described in Stack Whitney et al., Bull Ecol Soc Am, 2022 and this is the first semester I’m attempting to integrate iNatu… --- ## [AI, iNaturalist and Education](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/ai-inaturalist-and-education/76362)
**Author:** [@gaiaxus](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/gaiaxus)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [March 9, 2026, 2:36pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/ai-inaturalist-and-education/76362 "2026-03-09T14:36:43Z")
Good Morning All What we are a company that makes environmental education products, specifically water quality monitors. We are funded by the US Department of Education and just released a companion platform that helps … --- ## [Tutorial screenshots of 2025 iPhone iNat?](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/tutorial-screenshots-of-2025-iphone-inat/76245)
**Author:** [@ardy3](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/ardy3)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [March 3, 2026, 10:37pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/tutorial-screenshots-of-2025-iphone-inat/76245 "2026-03-03T22:37:16Z")
I’m trying to update my slides for an Intro to iNat training for older adults and this will be the first time I do this since the new iNat for iPhone was released last year. I am an Android user and thus can’t capture my… --- ## [Request for expert review: Student-built food web of a Georgia Coastal Plain ditch](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/request-for-expert-review-student-built-food-web-of-a-georgia-coastal-plain-ditch/75737)
**Author:** [@carver\_elementary\_outdoor\_educ](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/carver_elementary_outdoor_educ)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [February 17, 2026, 3:08am UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/request-for-expert-review-student-built-food-web-of-a-georgia-coastal-plain-ditch/75737 "2026-02-17T03:08:43Z")
Hello iNaturalist community, I am an Outdoor Educator at Carver Elementary School in Richmond Hill, Georgia, where my fourth and fifth grade students conduct year-long field investigations in our campus bioswale and wet… --- ## [How do you use iNaturalist data with students?](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/how-do-you-use-inaturalist-data-with-students/15130)
**Author:** [@tiwane](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/tiwane)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [February 14, 2026, 7:55pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/how-do-you-use-inaturalist-data-with-students/15130 "2026-02-14T19:55:36Z")
Many educators have their students make observations, which is awesome, but there are tens of millions of existing data points available for use as well. How can iNaturalist be used as a data source in an educational se… --- ## [Square Meter Project](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/square-meter-project/32887)
**Author:** [@anneclewis](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/anneclewis)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [January 27, 2026, 6:16am UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/square-meter-project/32887 "2026-01-27T06:16:00Z")
I am piloting a project for educators: the Square Meter Project is a project to help educators engage students in exploring the concept of species richness. Square Meter Projects consist of observations of each species (… --- ## [A way to make a smart phone into just a Seek/iNaturalist device?](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/a-way-to-make-a-smart-phone-into-just-a-seek-inaturalist-device/74587)
**Author:** [@wilddouglascounty](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/wilddouglascounty)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [January 13, 2026, 7:55pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/a-way-to-make-a-smart-phone-into-just-a-seek-inaturalist-device/74587 "2026-01-13T19:55:50Z")
With so many districts and even states banning student use of smart phones in the schools, as well as many nature camps banning their use, for very good reasons, I have had discussions with parents about how Seek and iNa… --- ## [iNat or iNot: A quiz to check understanding of captive/cultivated](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/inat-or-inot-a-quiz-to-check-understanding-of-captive-cultivated/39978)
**Author:** [@anneclewis](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/anneclewis)\ **Replies:** 79\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2025, 10:53pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/inat-or-inot-a-quiz-to-check-understanding-of-captive-cultivated/39978 "2025-12-27T22:53:59Z")
One of the frequent issues educators at all levels encounter is how to help their learners (including adult learners) understand what is captive and cultivated. In preparation for the upcoming City Nature Challenge I am … --- ## [Youtube as educational resource](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/youtube-as-educational-resource/66795)
**Author:** [@ryanwhyte](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/ryanwhyte)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2025, 4:48pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/youtube-as-educational-resource/66795 "2025-12-21T16:48:40Z")
Dear all, I’m new to this forum category so apologies if this is not the right place. I was just wondering if people have experience using YouTube as an educational resource based on their iNat work. In my day job I am … --- ## [Any California iNatters familiar with aquatic organism permitting?](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/any-california-inatters-familiar-with-aquatic-organism-permitting/73469)
**Author:** [@anneclewis](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/anneclewis)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2025, 2:13pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/any-california-inatters-familiar-with-aquatic-organism-permitting/73469 "2025-12-11T14:13:50Z")
Hey all A question came in via the MacroBlitz Google classroom about permits required to collect, photograph and return freshwater invertebrates in California. Does this fall under the Inland Fisheries SCP or - because … --- ## [Best practices for educators and researchers](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/best-practices-for-educators-and-researchers/72589)
**Author:** [@schizoform](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/schizoform)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [November 12, 2025, 12:44pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/best-practices-for-educators-and-researchers/72589 "2025-11-12T12:44:43Z")
Is there a single page, thread or wiki that describes best practices for educators at different grade levels or for researchers? I don’t know the best approach, but would like to help people find advice that transcends … --- ## [Area species reports](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/area-species-reports/72366)
**Author:** [@nicolasjouault](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/nicolasjouault)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [November 6, 2025, 1:09am UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/area-species-reports/72366 "2025-11-06T01:09:28Z")
I stumbled across this Nudibranch of the UK guide https://www.inaturalist.org/guides/21563 I would like to something similar for my area Jersey and, or the Channel Islands, I have an area map for Jersey waters which I u… --- ## [INaturalist, (fish) biodiversity and report cards](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/inaturalist-fish-biodiversity-and-report-cards/72190)
**Author:** [@adam\_smith3](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/adam_smith3)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [November 1, 2025, 11:50am UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/inaturalist-fish-biodiversity-and-report-cards/72190 "2025-11-01T11:50:24Z")
Good afternoon About 18 months ago I sought advice from the iNaturalist forum about linking observations, effort, biodiversity and simple metrics that could be used in a report card to share knowledge about the health o… --- ## [Planning ahead for high school photography students](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/planning-ahead-for-high-school-photography-students/61737)
**Author:** [@cbaer8](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/cbaer8)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [October 26, 2025, 2:38am UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/planning-ahead-for-high-school-photography-students/61737 "2025-10-26T02:38:38Z")
Hi all - I’m just thinking ahead about how I might use iNat with my photography students (grades 9-12) later this spring. I will not mandate iNat - it’ll be an option. But for those who are genuinely interested, I will… --- ## [How to create an umbrella \_\_?](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/how-to-create-an-umbrella/71846)
**Author:** [@mnnat](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/mnnat)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [October 23, 2025, 6:57am UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/how-to-create-an-umbrella/71846 "2025-10-23T06:57:35Z")
Have seen several allusions to umbrella folder or project. I’m a nuts and bolts person. How is such an entity created? Want to use for a bioblitz at several MN state parks. Is there a best practices somewhere for bioblit… --- ## [Multiple projects + Umbrella vs Single project for event series](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/multiple-projects-umbrella-vs-single-project-for-event-series/71524)
**Author:** [@lnlcflx](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/lnlcflx)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [October 13, 2025, 8:39pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/multiple-projects-umbrella-vs-single-project-for-event-series/71524 "2025-10-13T20:39:17Z")
As part of the Ambassador program I plan on doing semi-regular introduction events to iNat with subsequent mini-Bioblitz of a few hours. Since I do not expect thousands of observations in a few hours, should I do a sing… --- ## [Tabling Activity Ideas/Flyers/Stickers for the Public?](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/tabling-activity-ideas-flyers-stickers-for-the-public/70615)
**Author:** [@brook](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/brook)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [October 9, 2025, 8:35pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/tabling-activity-ideas-flyers-stickers-for-the-public/70615 "2025-10-09T20:35:55Z")
Hello! I have been asked to host an in-person iNaturalist Q&A booth at a public nature-themed event. I am comfortable orienting folks and answering questions, but I would like to provide attendees with clear, updated in… --- ## [Best practices for instructors using iNat participation for extra credit](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/best-practices-for-instructors-using-inat-participation-for-extra-credit/39490)
**Author:** [@annkatrinrose](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/annkatrinrose)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [September 30, 2025, 3:54am UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/best-practices-for-instructors-using-inat-participation-for-extra-credit/39490 "2025-09-30T03:54:57Z")
Hi all, we’ll be doing a university-wide BioBlitz this spring and as part of the team organizing the event I’d like to come up with a document outlining “best practices” for our instructors who want to use this as an ext… [Next page](https://forum.inaturalist.org/c/educators/30.md?page=1)