Tiny Science

I brought four mantises to work today, a place that’s not really used to mantises. So far so good, all have been adopted for the day:)
Nerd On

This stinker*

*brown marmorated stinkbug brown marmorated stinkbug brown marmorated stinkbug

Shooey, was she ever a contributor, inspiration, leader. An extraordinary life lived by Jane Goodall.

Jane Goodall, Revered Chimpanzee Expert and Conservationist, Dies at 91 Her discoveries as a primatologist in the 1960s about how chimpanzees behave in the wild broke new ground and were hailed as “one of the Western world’s great scientific achievements.”

First grade today, my second visit to this class.
I forgot my phone to take pictures but was given this top secret note.
I may have held back tears.
Love you.

I’m back at it, teaching K & 1 weekly science classes at Tilden School (West Seattle)
For our first meeting, we focused on the three insect body parts: Head, Thorax, Abdomen! If you know my classes, you just heard me sing that, lol.
A *huge* part of my teaching revolves around creating an exceptionally enjoyable learning environment. It’s been the singular focus of my life, my magnum opus: “The role of the environment in an individual’s behavioral development” (see my research on training flies).
So I sing and tell great stories about insects but that’s all the Trojan horse. Most importantly: I take my learners completely seriously, listening with fervor and expressing my authentic joy at their ideas. I was *so lucky* as a graduate student to be treated that way by my great advisor, Dave. It sure grows our confidence to be genuinely heard, and confidence is a foundation for kindness, cooperation, and big thinking. All things I want in my community and culture.

So for our first lab sesh, these sweet kids made three custom body parts (scissors and paper, yo) to create their own insect. I encourage imagination, personal style, and fully diving into your idea. Shooey, what a wonderful menagerie, and do I ever get to hear fantastic ideas, wowow. There was an ice cube bug, a whole Minecraft scene, a fantastic mantis, and a fire-breathing long-antennaed ladybug. I wish I could include the beautiful faces of these learners, so focused and proud. It is a real gift to experience such joyful intellect.
Stay tuned.
Love you.

It’s been a bust year for my mantises but a few adolescent surprisers popped up in the last week😍
Thank you Mama❤️
They’re just so cool.
Love you

Mr. Blockhead showing off his mouth volume, lol. Shooey
Mama says wowow