Observe to Learn: Exploring Animal Behavior

Have you ever wondered what it might be like to be a researcher like Jane Goodall? This app lets you step into the shoes of an animal behavior scientist by conducting your own investigation! Use this app to study your favorite animals, anywhere, anytime-- at your local zoo, park, backyard, or even in your living room observing a family pet.

This free app, developed by the Hurvis Center for Learning Innovation and Collaboration at Lincoln Park Zoo, immerses you in the world of ethology (the study of animal behavior). Designed for users 11 years and older who are new to animal behavior studies, the app will show you how to study animal behavior using the methods that researchers use. You can start collecting data right away!

Most importantly, the app allows YOU to be the researcher of any animal you choose. You can use the default ethogram (behavior checklist) to observe any animal or you can launch a study of your own design by creating an original ethogram where YOU define the behaviors. Either way, you’ll end with real data that you can share with your friends, parents or teachers. You can even collect data over time for a long-term class project.

The Observe to Learn App includes:
• Background information on ethology (study of animal behavior)
• Default ethogram (behavior checklist) to study any animal of your choice
• Practice session to learn how to use the app to collect accurate data
• Opportunity to create an original ethogram with any behaviors for any animal
• Video to demonstrate common behaviors
• Formal summary of the data you collected in report form
• Option to email yourself the data in a spreadsheet format for later use and analysis

Lincoln Park Zoo is dedicated to connecting people with nature by providing a free, family oriented wildlife experience in the heart of Chicago and by exhibiting leadership and advancing the highest quality animal care, education, science, and conservation.

This app was made possible through the generous support of the Hurvis Charitable Foundation.