Shane Doyle

Hardin Middle School
Hardin, MT

 

1999

Explorations in Biomedicine

Summer Research Teacher

 

Barbara Horwitz, Ph.D.
University of California-Davis
Davis, CA

 

1999

Summer Research Host
Test Your Pets!
Grade Level: Middle School 
Subject: Animal Behavior
Teachers who own classroom pets are quite familiar with the upkeep responsibilities that accompany domesticated animals. However, many teachers overlook the unique opportunities that pets can provide to enhance science education in our classroom. This lesson is a low-tech physiology inquiry designed for use with classroom pets, specifically small rodents (e.g., mice, hamsters, gerbils). This particular inquiry examines the relationship between energy expenditure and weight gain, an issue with which all students are somewhat familiar. The protocol that has been outlined is loosely structured, providing room for class discussion and guided facilitation.
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Teacher Resources Related to this Activity  
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Criteria useful for reviewing

student-centered learning activities include:

In this
activity..

 

An inquiry level of 4 or 5

4

  
An integrated Internet component N/A  
Assessments for content knowledge Yes  
Assessments for process skills Yes  
Addressed the "ABC" rules for humans and/or animal use N/A  
Use of multiple learning styles and opportunities for all students Yes  
Proper safety precautions and warnings Yes