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drache
05-06-2007, 11:00 AM
the "reptiles" workshops at science day at Mikhaila's school went really well
Sharon, a mom who's a science teacher at another school assisted me
we did four 25min closed sessions and we also had a rotating assortment of helpers from Mikhaila's group of friends
we admitted 12 to 15 kids with their parents and Sharon was great with the crowd control at the door
I found myself being better than anticipated with getting kids to settle down
four workshops in a row were bordering on being a bit much
thankfully I brought enough animals, that only my five most "sociable" snakes were handled each time
the others were rotated and some not handled by anyone but me

Layla, our black mexican king was just going into shed, so I took her out each time, just to have the kids look and notice the eyes
one kid there actually knew that it meant she was going into shed
the others all guessed impending blindness

there was one fun occurence
when I pulled the three garter girls out of the bag during the third workshop, they happened to all come out in a big bundle, with their heads poking out though my fingers, facing the same direction
I have no idea what they first saw when they first came out, but whatever it was, it kept their attention, so that when I moved my hand side to side, their heads turned side to side in unison for a few moments

somebody suggested that I should do birthday parties
I'm seriously considering it
not only would it give me a great excuse to get more reptiles
I'm thinking that they and their equipment would then become a business expense and as such tax deductible
I don't know though . . .

Stefan-A
05-06-2007, 12:22 PM
Glad to hear that it went well. :)

Cazador
05-06-2007, 02:17 PM
Sounds very cool and like it was a big success, Rhea. It's nice when you can help to shape so many little minds.

Stefan-A
05-06-2007, 02:32 PM
Yeah, hopefully it will prevent irrational fear of snakes. :) Kids are usually pretty open-minded compared to adults, something I've noticed with my sister's kids.

adamanteus
05-06-2007, 03:34 PM
Sounds like you had a good time there, Rhea. It's always nice to have a receptive and enthusiastic audience.

CrazyHedgehog
05-06-2007, 03:44 PM
Cool, glad it went well,
when my son was about 7 they had a "bring your pet in" day at school, I was off work that day so I took 3 snakes in, assuming that I would have to show them, my son however sat me in a corner while he took centre stage, walking around the room with our largest garter letting the kids touch it one by one. The teachers were so impressed with his knowledge that we ended up (well, I was just there to hand out antiseptic hand wash it seemed!) ...he ended up doing a 'show and tell' to about 8 different classes within the school !!
That was my day off well and truly taken care of!

drache
05-12-2007, 07:23 AM
here's some pictures from science day taken by my assistant
I know it's a lot of clicks, but just look how gently the kids are holding the snakes, and it's hard not to show you all the decent ones
sorry - the king got more photos, 'cause he was out more.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/226/494697776_71bceae61d_b.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/225/494697836_3a25808821_b.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/209/494654592_755f523c3b_b.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/200/494654608_d6c869d024_b.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/199/494654604_c6a8c8bfac_b.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/219/494654618_5050588fb0_b.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/205/494697796_42e3452df5_b.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/189/494654610_e0ff2afdac_b.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/192/494746451_066a747808_b.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/212/494697794_980c4acf36_b.jpg

hope you enjoy them

adamanteus
05-12-2007, 12:31 PM
Nice pictures Rhea. Well worth the extra click!

MoJo
05-12-2007, 09:27 PM
That looks like it was a great day. I have been taking my snakes to school for the last 3 years. I'm not sure who has more fun - me or the kids!

Joanna

cheryl
05-13-2007, 05:28 AM
Thank you, thank you, thank you. People who help expose little minds to the wonders of all animals are our best hope of a world where all life is appreciated. I only wish any of you lived close enough to me to bring that influence to our kids. Do the snakes get bored with us mundane humans?
Cheryl

Thamnophis
05-13-2007, 05:41 AM
Hey Rhea, very fine pics. The first one is priceles. That look onher face!!!

This reminds me on the lectures we give in the months june till october in the Reptilezoo where I work.
We tell something about a large stick-insect, a bearded agama and a Boa constrictor.
We let people toch them and the reactions are often very good. Some people stay afraid, but the most melt away when they see the beardie.

We do this to let people see that reptiles are living creatures that deserve some respect. We hope this helps a bit.

drache
05-13-2007, 06:26 AM
I think it helps a lot
the kids are very open to begin with
the adults are often the ones who make the bigger shifts in perception and beliefs
that mom in the black dress was totally blown away by how good it feels to hold a snake

Cazador
05-13-2007, 02:31 PM
Very cool, Rhea. It looks like a great time, and I'm sure Mikhaila was VERY proud of you for doing it.

Rick

Stefan-A
05-13-2007, 02:52 PM
Nice pictures. :)

ps. is that a Heterodon?
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/219/494654618_5050588fb0_b.jpg

adamanteus
05-13-2007, 03:13 PM
Yes Stefan, Heterodon nasicus, Western Hognose. Nice snakes.

Stefan-A
05-14-2007, 02:49 AM
So I've heard, but aren't they rearfanged and (mildly) venomous?

drache
05-14-2007, 04:14 AM
you're not supposed to let them chew on you for any length of time
ours has the sweetest personality
I think it would take some doing to get him to bite

Snaky
05-14-2007, 05:26 AM
Looks like a great day! Very interesting and fun probably for the kids.