Migration Mismatch: Bird Migration and Phenological Mismatching

There are approximately 2,000 species of migratory birds worldwide, and over 300 of those can be found in North America. Changing climate conditions pose challenges for many migratory birds and their responses to these challenges can depend on their biology. To illustrate these impacts, a board game, called Migration Mismatch, was developed to help elementary school students understand these challenges. Migration Mismatch can help students build their understanding of biological processes and how species, birds in this case, interact with their environment. The game provides an interactive element to learning about adaptations of different bird species to environmental changes and provides a link to birds they may encounter in their local environment. In 15 minutes, Migration Mismatch can give participants an introduction to the climate-related challenges facing migratory birds in an engaging, fun, and unique way. The use of the game provides an opportunity to further discuss changes in phenology, the timing of life cycle events, in response to a changing climate