Exploring Bats

Illinois Bats -This video is from Illinois Department of Natural Resource and gives general information about bats. Made for kids. 

We Appreciate Bats - This video shows a bat flying and getting water. From Bat Conservation International. 

Bats Echolocation (2:03 minutes) - This video shows had echolocation works. From Incredible Bats. 

Here's What Echolocation Sounds Like Slowed Down (2:04 minutes) - From the Smithsonian Channel. 

What's Causing Millions of North American Bats to Die? (2:04 minutes)- By the Smithsonian Channel, focuses on what is killing North American bats, White Nose Syndrome. Directed to older students. 

Bats and COVID (8 minutes video from Bats Conservation International) - What exactly is the connection between bats and coronavirus? Dr. Winifred Frick, chief scientist of BCl, describes what we know and the importance of bats.  See Secondary Activities for ways to use this video. 

White- Nose Syndrome ( 3:09 minutes) - What is White-Nose Syndrome and what is currently being researched. Bats Conservation International. 

Bats Surviving White-Nose Syndrome ( 2:48 minutes) - Looking at how some bats are surviving bats to better help species like the little brown bats survive the disease. National Geographic video. 

Bats & White-Nose Syndrome ( 2:09 minutes) - Information from the University of Michigan's study of White-Nose Syndrome and how it affects bats. 

Bat Sounds - Check out these recorded bat noises to hear what bats sound like.  Bat sounds from Birds Inc. ,  Ohio State University Bat Sounds, Montana State University Bats of Yellowstone National Park

Why Bats Don't Get Sick Video (5:50 minutes) from TED-ED - Explore the relationship between viruses and their hosts, and find out how the evolutionary adaptations of bats keep them safe from viruses. Some of the science words for secondary level students. 

How Does Ultrasound Work (5:15 minutes) from TED-ED - Discover how scientists and doctors used bats' ultrasound capabilities as inspiration for SONAR and non-invasive medical procedures. 

Make a bat cave- Have students cut out and color their bat (template).  Create a cave by putting up a blanket or black/brown paper. Hang the bats in the cave by taping them to the cave walls. At home, students can create their own cave with bats using blankets and chairs. 

What Are the Parts of a Bat?- Using the parts of the bat sheet, have students find the different parts of a bat. Have them look at the wings and match their thumb with a bat's thumb.  Continue with other parts.  Using the picture of a bat skeleton, see if they can identify the parts of the bat. 

Making Bat Wings-  Students can make bat wings with a blanket and their hand. Tape the blanket to their hands between the thumb and 1st finger. The blanket should go around the back of their body. Then they can hold their hand like a bat hand and flap their wings. Why or why doesn't this work?

Bat Fact Puzzle - Students can color the puzzle piece. Next have students cut out the pieces of the bat puzzle and put the puzzle together. What are some facts they learned about bats?

Bats and COVID (8 minutes video from Bats Conservation International) - What exactly is the connection between bats and coronavirus? Dr. Winifred Frick, chief scientist of BCl, describes what we know and the importance of bats. Ask students questions about bats and COVID-19 before watching the video. What have they heard about where COVID-19 came from? After watching the video, have students discuss the following: Why are people scared of bats? How is COVID-19 transmitted? What role do humans play in the virus and it's spread? 

White-Nose Syndrome- Have students use the videos about White-Nose Syndrome to understand what it is and how it works. Have students do some research on White-Nose Syndrome. They can use one or any of the videos listed below and search for information about the disease. How does the disease spread? How are humans' involved in the spread? Have students discuss if bats are important to the ecosystem or not? What is their evidence? 

 White- Nose Syndrome ( 3:09 minutes) - What is White-Nose Syndrome and what is currently being researched. Bats Conservation International.  Bats Surviving White-Nose Syndrome ( 2:48 minutes) - Looking at how some bats are surviving bats to better help species like the little brown bats survive the disease. National Geographic video.  Bats & White-Nose Syndrome ( 2:09 minutes) - Information from the University of Michigan's study of White-Nose Syndrome and how it affects bats.