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Field Diary

EXAMPLE: WWF Arctic Research Project
Date: 14 March 2025
Location: Near Svalbard, Arctic Circle


Morning survey completed under difficult conditions—visibility low with constant drift of sea ice breaking under pressure ridges. Spotted one female polar bear at 10:47 a.m., traveling east across a thinning ice floe. She appeared lean, ribs slightly visible, suggesting limited hunting success this season. Observed her behavior for 40 minutes from a safe distance using spotting scope; she tested multiple seal breathing holes but moved on without success.

Collected drone imagery of ice fragmentation in the surrounding area for sea ice habitat analysis. Recorded GPS coordinates of bear’s path, marked potential denning zones, and took ice thickness readings (average 42 cm—below expected seasonal norm).

The field team remains cautiously optimistic—bear activity is continuing, but conditions reinforce the urgency of our work. Every survey day underscores WWF’s goal: documenting how shrinking ice influences the bears’ hunting and survival strategies.

End of entry.

Antarctic/Arctic Newsroom

Action Challenge

15+ minutes / Inside

Inspired by a real field diary from a scientist working with WWF, pupils will create their own field report entry taking inspiration from journalists and the news. 
 

Learning outcome: Pupils will develop persuasive communication and teamwork skills by creating field reports inspired by polar environments, using journalistic techniques to share facts, express emotion, and advocate for environmental protection as responsible global citizens.
 

HBN FAQ Slice

Instructions

  • Share the polar bear field diary with the class
     
  • Let pupils know it’s now their turn to prepare a field diary! 
     
  • In groups, children should prepare either a verbal 30 second field report, or write one, for a news broadcast.
     
    • Choose between roles of Lead Reporter, Wildlife Correspondent, Environmental Advocate, Studio Anchor or Interviewer
       
    • Reports must include an interesting fact, an emotive sentence and a call-to-action statement. Use our Top 10 facts on polar bears .
       
    • Send pupils’ writing to us at Happy By Nature once finished happybynature@wwf.org.uk
       

Adaptations

  • Reduce number of roles or length / complexity of report
     
  • Mixed ability groups
     
  • No presentations, just team work

     

Extensions

  • Record or present your news broadcast to the class/teacher
     
  • Take your news bulletins and create a wider presentation on polar bears, or another polar species, to fundraise for WWF and wildlife protection. 

Fact or Feeling

Creative Challenge

15+ minutes / Outside

Learn about the power of reflection through this real field diary from a scientist working with polar bears in the Arctic. 
 

Learning outcome: Pupils will develop emotional literacy and communication skills by identifying and expressing facts and feelings through field diary reflections and outdoor observations, fostering empathy, self-belief, teamwork, and a deeper connection to the natural world.

Instructions

  • Introduce the field diary as a scientists’ recordings of their activities when completing research in ‘the field’, aka on location wherever what they are studying exists in nature
     
  • Let the class know you’re playing ‘Fact or Feeling’ as you go through the field diary of a polar bear scientist
     
  • As you read each entry, children should identify one fact and one feeling from each section as a class
     
  • Next, it’s time for a Field Diary RelayCreate small relay teams within the class
     
  • Pupils should take turns visiting part of the school grounds / playground to make an observation and bring it back to share with their team, using facts/feelings as appropriate

Adaptations

  • Mixed ability groups of pupils
     
  • Tiered challenge options e.g. Do the relay inside, using the classroom or define their destinations more specifically

Extensions

  • Individual field diary exploration/writing
     
  • Create animal/plant fact files about something you’ve found
     

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