Embedded Files
Mireya Mayor studies lemurs in Madagascar, but she used to be an NFL cheerleader. She uses conservation genetics to study how to manage these endangered animals. Includes a video (4:00), teaching tips, and support materials for use with students.
Suggested classroom use: Ask students to complete this student guide.
Read this "Science News Explores" article (readability score: 6.6) about scientists who study the genetics of cats, relationships between dogs and humans, and diseases that pass from animals to humans.
Note: Due to the length of this article, you may want to break students into groups and ask each group to read the introduction and then one of the three sections. Student groups can share what they have learned with the class OR direct students to just read the introduction and the "Niney-nine lives" section since it is most relevant to this unit. This article is also in Unit 6.2.
Suggested classroom use: Have students answer these classroom questions before, during, and after reading.
(Note: Teachers will need to provide an email address to register for free access to the questions.)
Creeping Crawlers: Classroom Game
Introduce the idea of pest control by playing a game! This game can be played outside or in a gym. Groups of bugs attempt to survive the longest to see which species can outlast the others. Check out this document for instructions!
Walt Disney World is smack dab in the middle of a swamp in a state that is, more or less, a big swamp itself. So with that in mind, why isn’t Walt Disney World swarming with mosquitoes? Watch this video (6:28) to find out.
Suggested Classroom Use: Use as an anchor video and have students create a list of what they think it takes for Disney to control their mosquitos and the careers involved.
Have Students Be a Pest Control Specialist!
Suggested Classroom Use: Have students take on the role of a pest control specialist. Show both of the above videos and have students debate the pros and cons of mosquito control. This worksheet can be used to help. Pages 7 and 8 are the most useful for this activity.
Have a Debate!
Suggested Classroom Use: Show both of the videos below and ask students to debate the pros and cons of pesticide use in general. You can also ask students to brainstorm careers that might be involved in such a debate.
Suggested Classroom Use: Show one of the videos below as a warm-up or when there are only a few minutes of class time left. Utilize one of the reflection forms below with students.
Use this Career Connections Video Student Reflection Guide to engage your students!
Use this LINK video reflection resource to help students focus.
Use this graphic organizer from education.com. Ask students to research any information that isn't provided in the video.
Teachers need to create a free account to access the organizer.
Entomologist Adrian Smith works with some interesting insects. Watch this short video (4:58) to learn about his work.
Entomology isn't just for grown-ups! Watch this short news clip (2:53) to meet 13-year old-Cole, who runs his own insect breeding business and aspires to study entomology in college.
Meet Jessica Ware in this short video (3:44). She is an evolutionary biologist who studies insects.
Meet marine biologist Greg Rouse, who studies the evolution and diversity of marine invertebrates. Watch this video (1:59) to learn more about his research or read the story here.
Learn more about why entomology is so important in this short video (1:14).
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