Reptile & Amphibian Forums

A few days ago I posted some ideas and questions on the Herp Kids and General Snake forums about doing herp presentations in schools. I've gotten some really good feedback from the other forums. I know some of you guys on this forum do presentations as well. I'd like any advice you can give.

Here's some what I'm doing so far, what I'm thinking of doing, and some questions for those of you with more experience:

This was my second year doing a snake and tortoise presentation at the school where my wife teaches. Last year I did two 30 minute presentations; this year I did four. They even interviewed me for their in-school news program. Kids and teachers kept coming up to me in the halls to comment and ask questions; it was really fun.

One of the teachers, who happens to be deathly afraid of snakes (but held one anyway for the news video) approached me and asked if I would like to put together a proposal for me to travel around the district doing presentations. They said my show got more response than the field trips to the animal rescues and the animals they've brought in before.

So far, my presentations have been to second grade classes, but we're talking about a genetics-focused show for high-school biology classes. It would feature live animals from my collection that are homozygous and/or heterozygous for one or more simple recessive genetic traits. I'll be able to show how two normal parents, for example, can produce albino offspring. Also how two or more simple recessive traits can combine to change an animals appearance.

Right now I'm in the brainstorming phase. I'm trying to come up with ideas for presentations that would appeal to a range of ages.

Some thoughts are (in no particular order):

General information about reptiles (part of my current presentation)
Genetics
Safety/identification
Reptiles as pets
Conservation
Life Cycle and Food chain (part of my current presentation)
Venom
Snakes' Role in Ecology
Types of Snakes
Constrictors (Types and the mechanics of constriction, also mentioning the controversy surrounding large constrictors)

Some topics I'd like advice/feedback on:

Activities: Do any of you incorporate activities into your presentations to encourage participation? What types of activities?

Behavior: Second graders are a handful! Any tips or ideas to help keep them quiet and attentive?

Teaching Resources: Anyone know any good herp-related teaching resources geared toward different age levels that I could utilize?

What about insurance? How many of you carry insurance and where does one even start looking for that type of coverage? I generally only let the kids touch one or two of my snakes and my Sulcata, and I make sure they wash their hands with Germ-ex before AND after. I take the utmost care possible to avoid any accidents; the two snakes I allow kids to touch have NEVER bitten any human. But what if a kid comes down with salmonella or does manage to get bitten and the parents decide to sue me?

The animals I currently incorporate into my presentations are:

Honduran and Pueblan milk snakes
California, Thayeri and Grey-banded king snakes
Ball and Carpet pythons
Sulcata

I enjoy doing these presentations and I feel like this is my part to play as a responsible reptile enthusiast; that education and the positive influence of public opinion regarding reptiles, especially snakes, is a noble cause. I'm interested in hearing your feedback.

Thanks
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http://www.mikefoux.com
http://www.cafepress.com/shedz

1.1.0 Hondurans Het Amel
1.1.0 Hondurans Anery, Het Hypo
0.1.0 Honduran Hypo
0.1.0 Honduran Hypo, Het Anery
0.2.0 Pueblans
1.0.0 Pueblan Hypo
1.0.0 Thayeri MSP
0.0.1 GBK Blair's Phase
1.0.0 California King
0.1.0 California King Blue-eyed Blond
0.0.1 Speckled King WC
0.0.1 Jungle Carpet
0.1.0 Ball, Normal
1.0.0 San Diego Gopher, Poss. Het Applegate
0.0.1 Sulcata
0.1.0 Wife, Caucasius Mexicana

Mike, I have done many shows for the Boy Scout troops in my area and summer/winter camp merit badge classes. It is hard to control a group of any age, lol! I never had to worry about the insurance, I was covered under the BSA policies back then when I was a scoutmaster, but in this day and age, it is definitely something to consider, I would assume anyone who does these kind of shows would need some kind of liability insurance, maybe some of the people who also do birthdays and such would know. What about zoos or museums, I would think that might be a source for insurance info. Many allow petting or touching animals. I can only say that the class size has always been a hindrence, 30 kids at a time is a lot. best of luck and I commend you for the efforts. Oh, if the school admins want to send you around, maybe they would include you under their insurance, it was, after all, their idea.
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Todd Hughes

For the insurance, you can send home waivers say you're not responsible for anything that happens or something, with parent signature required. Also include the snakes have never bitten anyone, the kids wash their hands before and after touching snakes to get more participation. Maybe even include your phone number or email for questions/comments. I get papers like these every now and then (I'm in 9th grade) and thats generally what they include.

I am currently doing just that for a living right now. We are considering it a "In-Shool" Field trip.

There have been many hoops to jump through here in the area where i live.

First i was a teacher for 8 years so I go to know the ins and outs and the iner workings of the school systems (everyplace is different). I had to get fingerprinted and had a background check then i had to get liability ins. start my own company and become an approved vendor for the counties that i serve. But once i got all of that done I have been doing pretty good. I have several animals that i use, all are chid friedly.....One thing that i try to do is use the teachers science benchmarks as a guidline for what to discuss about the animals. It mostly revolved around habitats, adaptations the animals have made and why they look the way that they do.

Good luck with everything the only way I see things getting better for our hobby is to educate the public and that starts with the next genertation.

Thank you,

Scott

www.reptilesrevealed.com
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Scott
"The most powerful person never has to use it"

right on! glad to hear what your doing, its a GREAT thing sharing knowledge. ive done snake shows for the past 10 years in houston tx. and have copied your post to address what i can.

>>>Some topics I'd like advice/feedback on:

Activities: Do any of you incorporate activities into your presentations to encourage participation? What types of activities?

>not sure what you mean by activities, i walk through the class when i present. if someone is very phobic i give them their space. i also do pass arounds venomous snake pics, egg shells, sheds etc.

Behavior: Second graders are a handful! Any tips or ideas to help keep them quiet and attentive?

>yes they can get out of control quick, i start with the explanation to the class that i only have so much time and ALL these snakes to show and that Q&A will be answered throughout. its a "show" and as such requires their attention, then i ask are you ready??? that seems to garner some control.

Teaching Resources: Anyone know any good herp-related teaching resources geared toward different age levels that I could utilize?

allboas.com i think had some right ups. i usually just get with the teachers and find out what they have been studying and go with that with elementary kids its very general.

What about insurance? How many of you carry insurance and where does one even start looking for that type of coverage? I generally only let the kids touch one or two of my snakes and my Sulcata, and I make sure they wash their hands with Germ-ex before AND after. I take the utmost care possible to avoid any accidents; the two snakes I allow kids to touch have NEVER bitten any human. But what if a kid comes down with salmonella or does manage to get bitten and the parents decide to sue me?

>i have used event ins. bought in 24hr blocks specifically for events. certain venues/events require this. when it is required i have whoever is hiring me pay for it or simply include its price in the invoice.
germex and utmost care is all you can do. when salmonella is brought up a quick explanation that salmonellla is a bacterium in the environement as such one could also get it from their cat or dog and that your display animals are captive born bred and kept in clean healthy conditions usually squashes it, if pushed i advise whoever it is to research and move on.

The animals I currently incorporate into my presentations are:

Honduran and Pueblan milk snakes
California, Thayeri and Grey-banded king snakes
Ball and Carpet pythons
Sulcata

I enjoy doing these presentations and I feel like this is my part to play as a responsible reptile enthusiast; that education and the positive influence of public opinion regarding reptiles, especially snakes, is a noble cause. I'm interested in hearing your feedback.

>absolutely!
remember time is the issue when taking animals for presentations and being each class/show/event is different each presentation and number of animals is different, it is a great thing sharing knowledge of these wonderful creatures, kudos to you for doing so.
,,,,,,,,,,,,thomas davis
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Morphs... just like baseball cards BUT ALIVE, how cool is that???

my website www.barmollysplace.com

here is a link for the allboas site it is very well written.
http://allboas.com/EducationalPresentations.doc
,,,,,,,,,,thomas davis
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Morphs... just like baseball cards BUT ALIVE, how cool is that???

my website www.barmollysplace.com

Mike,
I've done a handful of the same for my kids school, boy scouts, etc.

What was supposed to be 3 presentations for the first graders at my kids school, turned into an all day thing as the news traveled, and I agree- it was a blast!

I've been asked to do the same in another school district too, but I can't afford to take the time off to do it... bummer.

I can't wait for next years reptile week!

//Todd

Hey guys, thanks for all the advice!
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http://www.mikefoux.com
http://www.cafepress.com/shedz

1.1.0 Hondurans Het Amel
1.1.0 Hondurans Anery, Het Hypo
0.1.0 Honduran Hypo
0.1.0 Honduran Hypo, Het Anery
0.2.0 Pueblans
1.0.0 Pueblan Hypo
1.0.0 Thayeri MSP
0.0.1 GBK Blair's Phase
1.0.0 California King
0.1.0 California King Blue-eyed Blond
0.0.1 Speckled King WC
0.0.1 Jungle Carpet
0.1.0 Ball, Normal
1.0.0 San Diego Gopher, Poss. Het Applegate
0.0.1 Sulcata
0.1.0 Wife, Caucasius Mexicana