Tuesday, March 23, 2004
Sugar Mill pupils study barn owls
PETE BOHACZYK
The Daytona Beach News-Journal
CORRESPONDENT
Barn owls are odd but majestic creatures with faces shaped like satellite dishes to pick up the sounds of their dinners — mice running across a field.
They also have two stomachs, a fact that 28 members of Denise Swayze's third-grade class at Sugar Mill Elementary School studied March 17, through the Adventures in Learning program.
Using tweezers, they rummaged through what remained of the contents of each owl's first stomach to find bones from its meal.
Instead of being grossed out, they enthusiastically charted the different body parts they found while learning about the food chain. They have learned to identify mammal skeletons and have practiced their dissecting skills by studying barn owl pellets, superfluous matter that is regurgitated by the first stomach.
"Students were excited to participate in this hands-on activity. Whenever I can incorporate a hands-on activity into the curriculum, I know that students will benefit," Swayze said. "Our kids love science and hands-on activity, which speaks enthusiasm for the subject. We all look forward to our next investigation using the scientific method."
The classes also learn about mankind's role in the food chain. For two years, instructor Patty Barnes worked for Adventures in Learning, a program she said is in line with the state's teaching standards.
"All our programs are hands-on. It is a motivational tool for both science and math classes. Children learn by having fun," Barnes said. "The kids love this. I get a kick out of seeing the children's faces light up when they begin this experiment."
She said most children learn best by touching and doing.
"I feel really excited about learning. Sometimes I would rather touch something than read about it in books. I was so excited to learn about owl pellets," pupil Joey Schmidt said.
Schools interested in the program can call (386) 322-4153.
Serial story: THE MOUSE AND THE MOTORCYCLE