The Alabama Wildlife Federation created the Junior Wildlife Scientist (JWS) program to:

• Educate our children about the wise use and conservation of our wildlife and natural resources,
• Introduce children to the outdoors so they will have an appreciation for Alabama’s abundant biodiversity, and
• Provide hands-on, inquiry-based outdoor activities that help teach the Alabama Department of Education Course of Study Standards using a schoolyard wildlife habitat as an outdoor classroom.

JWS Student Nature Journals

Each student participating in the JWS program receives a nature notebook full of fun, hands-on, inquiry-based activities that help teach her/him the Alabama Course of Study Standards for her/his grade level.

JWS Merit Badges

Each school year, students have the opportunity to earn two new merit badges and move up a level in the JWS program by completing JWS nature notebook activities for their specific grade.

JWS Teacher Guides

The teacher guides provide lesson plans that include essential background information, trade books, educational videos, step-by-step procedural instructions, activity tips, and activity answers for each nature notebook activity for each grade.

Junior Wildlife Scientist Classroom Kits

Each JWS Classroom Kit includes (1) teacher guide along with (1) nature notebook, (2) merit badges and (1) certificate per student for that grade.

*Deadline for all orders: Friday, July 26, 2024 | *Orders will be mailed by: Friday, August 16, 2024

Eligibility: The AWF designed the JWS program to be taught by classroom or homeschool teachers. All teachers who teach Kindergarten, 1st, or 2nd grade students at public or private schools, and all homeschool parents and teachers are eligible. Nature centers, student clubs, after-school programs, government agencies, and city, state, or federal parks are NOT eligible.