All about reptiles

submitted by Mrs. Mardee Guyer

A group of high school zoology students from Carter County High School recently conducted educational sessions on reptiles for younger learners. Led by science teacher Chioko Hammel, the high school students extended their knowledge beyond their classroom to share with Ekalaka Elementary school students in grades Kindergarten through 6h grade, with hope of informing and sparking curiosity.

The zoology students researched reptiles and then used posters, plastic animals, and their expertise to teach the elementary students. The presenters included Corlan Laughery, Wyatt Melton, Chace Loehding, Nasya O'Connor, Eldon Morris, Kaleb Frye, Roger Beach, Jillian McGraw, Kendra Matthews, Preston Jensen, and Juno McGraw. They created visually appealing posters with large writing and clear pictures and practiced presenting to suit different age levels. Divided into groups, each group covered two of the four orders of reptiles: Squamata (snakes and lizards), Testudinata (turtles and tortoises), Crocodilia (crocodiles, alligators, caimans, and Gharials), and Tuatara. They incorporated interactive elements into their presentations, encouraging participation and ensuring that every child felt involved and excited about learning the orders.

The students showed a deep understanding of reptilian biology and engaged in discussions to improve their presentations. The elementary students participated eagerly, demonstrating the success of the high schoolers' efforts. Mrs. Hammel praised her students, saying, "I'm proud of this very mixed age group, because they presented professionally and gave our younger students a lot of opportunities to show off what they know about animals in general and reptiles. They also had great discussions amongst themselves about how they could better adjust to certain grade levels and audiences." The collaboration between high school and elementary students enhanced the educational experience and fostered a sense of community. The success of the presentations highlighted the power of education and passing knowledge to future generations.