Materials needed:• String or hula hoop• Timer or stopwatch• Journal and pen (optional)

Step-by-step instructions:1. Find a natural area to observe in your backyard or neighborhood.2. Create a circular area to study using the string or hula hoop, being careful not to damage any plants in that area.3. Observe what’s in the circle. Do you see insects or worms? Do you see leaves, grass, fl owers or pinecones?4. Write, draw, and/or tell someone about everything you observed in your circle.

Additional explorations:• Complete the same observation activity in a di� erent area. Compare and contrast what you see in each circle.• How many unique organisms can you count within your circle?• Participate in a free, online citizen science project to help document Biodiversity in South Sudan:

www.zooniverse.org/projects/southsudanwildlife/south-sudan-diversitycam• Download the free app iNaturalist (free) or visit their website to help you identify some of the organisms in your circle: www.inaturalist.org/

Discussion questions:• What did you observe? Did you notice anything new that surprised you?• How did it feel to focus on one area for fi ve whole minutes? • If you didn’t observe very many di� erent organisms, why do you think that is?

Additional resources• Why is Biodiversity Important?

www.youtube.com/watch?v=GK_vRtHJZu4• Build Children’s Observation Skills with Sit Spots

www.oraeyc.org/single-post/2017/12/11/Build-Childrens-Observation-Skills-with-Sit-Spots

omsi.edu

Observation CircleDo you know what is living in your backyard? Biodiversity, the variety of life within an area, can be found even within the smallest of spaces. Use your observation skills and complete a scientifi c investigation to discover the natural life around you.