In the week before the holiday break, third and fifth grade participated in a collaborative science mystery room, inspired by the book The Case of the Vanishing Golden Frogs: A Scientific Mystery by Sandra Markle, and organized by Mrs. Keller-Baker and the school library program. The third grade had been learning about frogs and the fifth grade about ecosystems, and both grades were able to use what they are learning in science to help them solve a mystery rooted in science. The students worked in mixed grade level teams to observe a fake crime scene showing a large portion of (what they later learned were) Panamanian Golden Frogs dying in their native habitat. The third and fifth grade teachers stepped in to play the part of different scientists that the students could consult for more information to help them determine what is killing off the species of frogs. The students started to raise questions about how the frog's habitat might have contributed to their deaths. They were able to examine evidence at each of the scientist's stations and look at their hypotheses. We were fortunate to have guests, Mrs. Davis, our High School librarian, Mrs. Landry, our principal, and Mrs. Gebhardt, our guidance counselor, step in to play the roles of the Aquatic Fungi Specialist, giving our students the answer to what is killing this and other populations of frogs.
The kids really enjoyed this unique learning experience!
The library program has been able to make a connection with one of the research program dedicated to conserving this species, the Smithsonian Center for Species Survival, and BKW alum and Ph.D. candidate in the Cornell-Smithsonian Joint Graduate Training Program, Alyssa Wetterau. She has generously agreed to arrange several video conferences with our students to follow up on the Panamanian Golden frog status. We look forward to making these arrangements and extending this learning activity.
The kids really enjoyed this unique learning experience!
The library program has been able to make a connection with one of the research program dedicated to conserving this species, the Smithsonian Center for Species Survival, and BKW alum and Ph.D. candidate in the Cornell-Smithsonian Joint Graduate Training Program, Alyssa Wetterau. She has generously agreed to arrange several video conferences with our students to follow up on the Panamanian Golden frog status. We look forward to making these arrangements and extending this learning activity.