Eco Academy - Plankton and Cell Biology

Today was FANTASTIC!
  
 Panama taught us how to make plankton nets from a 2 liter bottle and a panty hose.

Everyone worked together!  What a great family activity!
 

The teachers use a smart board to explain the lesson each week.  I had no idea that sea stars and jellyfish started out as plankton.  So do crabs and shrimp. 

Champ posted facts about plankton around the room and the kids learned all about them.

Then we went outside to catch our plankton.

 

We walked along the bank, dragging our nets slowly behind us to catch all the little guys.

 

Then we pulled our nets out of the water and took them inside.

We looked at the water under the microscope and discovered all sorts of drifters.

Panama found a tiny live shrimp.  He put it on the microscope for the class to see and we all sat in awe as we watched; pump, pump, pump.  The class erupted in applause.  It was so fascinating to see it's microscopic heart beating. 

The kids loved taking pictures of the great discovery. 

 Far more learning goes on in these classrooms than in a conventional one.  Each child is engaged and interested, and therefore absorbing the information like a sponge.  It is so amazing to hear my daughter repeat the entire class point by point to her dad when she gets home. 

She DOES remember!

 

THANK YOU DEERING!!!