| In an effort to bring hands-on biology to the classroom, 24 elementary
teachers from the Lincoln Public School system attended the five-day
"Bugs, Butterflies, and Biology" workshop. During the workshop,
the teachers observed monarch butterflies and performed experiments
with mealworms, earthworms, crayfish, and Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches.
After learning about care, food, and possible student activities,
the teachers received supplies of the animals for their fall classrooms
as well as teacher guides and a variety of printed materials. "The
hands-on experiences with the live invertebrates were very beneficial,"
said one teacher who participated in the workshop. Other teachers
appreciated the time to explore and ask questions. The teachers could
apply the class toward two hours of Lincoln Public Schools Staff Development
and University of Nebraska graduate credit.
Teaching the class were Rosemary Thornton, a science teacher at
Fredstrom Elementary School; Dr. Jon Miller, formerly a biology
teacher at Lincoln East High School; and Steve Spomer, Research
Technologist at UNL Department of Entomology. The class met at two
locations, with four days in a UNL entomology lab and one day at
Lincoln’s Huntington Elementary. The University of Nebraska
Department of Entomology; the Math and Science Education Area of
Strength; the Center for Science, Mathematics and Computer Education;
and Lincoln Public Schools provided funding for the workshop.
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