Visiting classroom pet

The article talked about an outreach program at the Folsom Children’s Zoo and Botanical Gardens in Lincoln, Nebraska that loans out animals to classrooms for students to observe and study. ... See More

The article talked about an outreach program at the Folsom Children’s Zoo and Botanical Gardens in Lincoln, Nebraska that loans out animals to classrooms for students to observe and study. The program loans out various domesticated animals, such as geckos, snakes, legless lizards, horned toads, ringneck doves, ferrets, hedgehogs, African brown millipedes, and Madagascar hissing cockroaches for six weeks at a time during the zoo’s off season. The zoo still maintains ownership, and provides veterinarian care for all the animals. Classrooms are required to collect data daily on the animal for the zoo and submit it online. The article goes into more length about requirements, guidelines and lesson suggestions. I think this is an incredible program! It sounds like so much fun. I have considered having a classroom pet, but was hesitant to make that kind of commitment. The article did caution that many teachers have admitted participation in this program was time consuming and takes commitment. I wish my local zoo had such a program.

Inquiry science with live animals!

The animals are on loan? Critters including geckos, snakes, legless lizards, horned toads, ring neck doves, ferrets, HEDGEHOGS, African brown millipedes, and Madagascar hissing cockroaches! ... See More

The animals are on loan? Critters including geckos, snakes, legless lizards, horned toads, ring neck doves, ferrets, HEDGEHOGS, African brown millipedes, and Madagascar hissing cockroaches! Excuse me for the cuteness overload but wow! What a great idea that enriches the students’ lives and the animals. This article really gets an educator thinking about how they could introduce different animals to the classroom. It also reminds teachers to check with their school districts and different restrictions for animals and the classroom. Not everyone may have this opportunity but reading about it makes me think about different critters I could introduce. I currently have a hedgehog so he’s in for sure. I think it’s really great that classrooms that participate in this get four animals per year in six-week intervals. An opportunity like this could really get a classroom interested in science. I love that the previous teacher and students reports and investigations of the animal are passed to the next class. What a great program Lincoln, Nebraska has going for their schools.