Riverwatch Magazine Spring 2011 | Page 5

E D U C ATIO N O UTRE AC H Science WOWs and Whys By Thom Benson, communications manager rom lightning whelks to lightning strikes, the Tennessee Aquarium’s education staff is reaching more students in new ways thanks to funding from NOAA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Along the way, Aquarium educators are making science fun and exciting. If you were to follow Bethany Lloyd into a school, you might be amazed at what happens when she’s in front of the class. The room becomes quiet as wide-eyed students focus on Lloyd’s “ocean in a box.” She has a rolling cooler that’s filled with slimy, creepy and absolutely awesome marine creatures. “I haven’t had a ho-hum reaction yet,” said Lloyd, the Aquarium’s newest outreach educator. “The kids love everything from the smallest snails to the larger, alienlooking horseshoe crabs. For the most part, I’m introducing them to these sea creatures for the first time.” Lloyd has developed six new outreach programs that focus on ocean literacy themes. And she has been busy delivering them to schools within 125 miles of the Aquar- F ium. “All of the programs are written to meet Pre-K to 8th grade science standards,” said Lloyd. “The schools that are booking these lessons are looking for opportunities to raise the bar on life sciences by giving their students a chance to meet marine creatures and learn about their adaptations, habitats and ecosystems.” There’s a ‘Wow Factor’ when kids get to watch jellies pulsing up close or touch a crab. And when their eyes light up, Lloyd knows she’s made an important connection. “The surprise favorite of the tide pooling program is the lightning whelk,” said Lloyd. “When brave students gently touch the whelk’s slimy mantle, it quickly retreats into its shell. As it does this, water squirts out. That’s hilarious to them. When that happens, they’re having fun and really hungry for information.” During these magic moments, kids really grasp information about how inland residents are connected to these unusual animals. “These animals were selected because they all come from the northern Gulf of Mexico,” said Lloyd. “It’s my job to help these students understand how these animals can be impacted by what we do upstream. And based on teacher feedback and letters I Pictured above: These elementary school students in Tunnel Hill, GA are fascinated by the tiny, pulsing jellyfish ephyra visiting their classroom. Discover ways to support Tennessee Valley conservation at www.tnaqua.org RIVERWATCH 5