My class is fascinated by nature. I would like to encourage their fascination by providing them with a peek at the world of magnification. What is more exciting to kids than dissecting owl pellets and viewing them magnified in 3D?
My students come from diverse backgrounds.
They work together in groups well and they help each other learn. They encourage each other on a daily basis with words like, "I knew you could do it!" and "Way to go!" They love learning beyond the curriculum. Our school is centered around a hands-on approach which allows for opportunities like this one to generate a love for nature and science. It is operating on only its second year, so teaching supplies are limited.
My Project
The students will start their exploration by dissecting owl pellets. These are sterilized regurgitated hairballs from what the owl just ate. Inside, they will find hair and bones of rats, mice, etc. After learning about the diet of predatory birds and piecing some of the bones together, they will be able to use the stereo microscope to analyze the contents. Stereo microscopes, I have found, are easier for elementary students to use than compound microscopes. Specimens are viewed from above and do not have to be sliced or manipulated to fit on a slide. The students also love that they can see the objects in 3D. This stereo microscope will also be used to view an insect's eyes, the "hair" on a leaf, and even the fine print on a dollar bill.
These products will provide an experience that students can never have otherwise.
I don't want to just provide a worksheet experience in the classroom, but a hands-on approach to learning. When students love learning, it encourages them to go above and beyond. These materials will instill a love of science that they will remember for the rest of their life.
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