- Joined
- Jul 8, 2007
- Messages
- 994
I'm presently working towards Master's in biology with a certification in adolescent education and special ed. Part of this involves doing over 100 hours of observation in classrooms. Well, I was observing a high school bio class that is currently doing a unit on evolution, and thought it would be fun to bring in some inverts and amphibians to illustrate the unique physical and behavioral adaptations they have for their survival.
Yesterday I packed up a big cooler full of critters and did a 30-40min presentation for the class. It was a great experience; the students were extremely responsive and interested despite the fact that many are classified as low achievers or having behavioral problems.
Among other "creepy crawlies," I brought my B. albopilosum and A. avicularia to compare some of the adaptations that arboreal and terrestrial T's have. At the start of the presentation many of the kids were nervous to even be in the same room as the tarantulas, but by the time it was over they were coming up for a closer look, asking questions, and even commenting on how pretty/interesting they are. One kid who was especially afraid of the tarantulas crept up to the desk at the very end of the period to have a better look at the pink toe and I caught a little smile.
It was a great opportunity to talk about the importance of arachnids to the environment and also dispell some myths about them being deadly and vicious. A lot of them really thought that the T's were these huge, deadly, super-venemous beasts that were waiting to kill you in your sleep; what they saw instead was a curly hair grooming her feet and webbing her kritter keeper, and an avic that more than anything just wanted to hide somewhere safe and less exposed.
So, hooray for Bashkir and Bailar, my B. albopilosum and A. avicularia for helping me spread understanding and respect for T's to young people! I couldn't be more proud of my little beasts :clap:
Yesterday I packed up a big cooler full of critters and did a 30-40min presentation for the class. It was a great experience; the students were extremely responsive and interested despite the fact that many are classified as low achievers or having behavioral problems.
Among other "creepy crawlies," I brought my B. albopilosum and A. avicularia to compare some of the adaptations that arboreal and terrestrial T's have. At the start of the presentation many of the kids were nervous to even be in the same room as the tarantulas, but by the time it was over they were coming up for a closer look, asking questions, and even commenting on how pretty/interesting they are. One kid who was especially afraid of the tarantulas crept up to the desk at the very end of the period to have a better look at the pink toe and I caught a little smile.
It was a great opportunity to talk about the importance of arachnids to the environment and also dispell some myths about them being deadly and vicious. A lot of them really thought that the T's were these huge, deadly, super-venemous beasts that were waiting to kill you in your sleep; what they saw instead was a curly hair grooming her feet and webbing her kritter keeper, and an avic that more than anything just wanted to hide somewhere safe and less exposed.
So, hooray for Bashkir and Bailar, my B. albopilosum and A. avicularia for helping me spread understanding and respect for T's to young people! I couldn't be more proud of my little beasts :clap: