Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Just wanted to report on a couple of successful outreach activities that I took part in this past week. As we know, many people much prefer their snakes to be dead and this can make it more difficult for us to enjoy our hobby. On March 12, my Reptile Club at school assisted me in preparing another exhibit on boas for the annual Reptile & Amphibian Day at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences. This is the largest event of its kind in the country. We had the opportunity to educate people of all ages but especially kids. A very rewarding day.

The second event took place at my children's elementary school. My own children assisted me in making multiple presentations to 2nd and 4th grade classes. I think you would enjoy the list we developed on the differences between humans and boas. I should have copied it down.

Here's a sampling of photos. There are many more at the link below. If you enjoy these, definitely check out the Yates Mill 2005 page. There are about 50 portraits there.

Outreach Activities

not sure I would use them to pass around to a bunch of kids. But cool that you did.

nm

>>Just wanted to report on a couple of successful outreach activities that I took part in this past week. As we know, many people much prefer their snakes to be dead and this can make it more difficult for us to enjoy our hobby. On March 12, my Reptile Club at school assisted me in preparing another exhibit on boas for the annual Reptile & Amphibian Day at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences. This is the largest event of its kind in the country. We had the opportunity to educate people of all ages but especially kids. A very rewarding day.
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>>The second event took place at my children's elementary school. My own children assisted me in making multiple presentations to 2nd and 4th grade classes. I think you would enjoy the list we developed on the differences between humans and boas. I should have copied it down.
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>>Here's a sampling of photos. There are many more at the link below. If you enjoy these, definitely check out the Yates Mill 2005 page. There are about 50 portraits there.
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>>Outreach Activities

....want to ask my students about the "more teachers like him part" LOL. I have a reputation for making them work a bit.

I have been wanting to do this for a long time, and I guess I should go ahead and take the plunge. What sort of documentation or liability wavers are there, if any, in a classroom setting where the children would want to hold a boa? There is always the possibility of a nip...and Mommy freaking out because little Janie was bitten by HEAVEN FORBID.....A SNAKE.

BTW, that little girl in the bottom pic looks like a "kid version" of Allie Sheedy.

You are our hero! In one or two of those pics is a brand new boa lover!
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Linda Hedgpeth
lindafh@frontiernet.net
Sierra Serpents

"Not one shred of evidence supports the notion that life is so serious".

I use no waivers....or any special form for that matter. It may be foolish on my part but I have developed a high tolerance for situations that others may consider "risky". I've spend 16 years teaching chemistry to 15-17 year olds. I'm known for doing A LOT of lab work and trusting the kids with a serious level of responsibility. In fact, the very first experiment of the year for the newbies (15 year old sophomores) is to have them light Bunsen burners and learn how to adjust them to get flame temperatures in excess of 2,000 *C. Most people shudder at the thought of working in a room crowded with teenagers and open flames. I thoroughly enjoy it. So I guess the moral of the story is that I would do what you need to be comfortable. If it takes a signed waiver then I would do it so that you get into the classroom and share with these young people. One thing you might consider is doing a first "show" that does not allow any handling by the kids. They will still enjoy it...and learn a lot.
If you do decide to have the kids handle the animal, make sure you pick one that has proven to be completely reliable. I have boas whose temperament is such that I don't think they would bite the kid.....EVEN if the kid bit them first!
gray

Awesome Gray!! Everyone of those kids had a SMILE on their faces!!...they will all pass along their experience, what they learned, and will probably eventually want a boa!! Charlie

....that was at my first show a few years ago now is the proud owner of 4 boas and is only in the 4th grade.

I remember when I was about 9 or so someone coming to my school with a bunch of reptiles. I was already fascinated with them. About 6 months to a year of educating my parents(toughest sale ever!). I finally got my first snake, a Prairie King.By the time 6th grade camp came along I was teaching my class about reptiles,lol.

That is awesome you take your time to reach out to those kids. I would like to possibly get something like that started in my area(Sacramento).

.....later teaching your classmates. For me, one of the most enjoyable parts of these presentations is watching my own 3 children stand up in front of their peers and speak about the animals with confidence.

If you don't mind.........I'd like to call you to "pick" your brain about it.
John
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"To be the best..........You must lose your mind."

.....call sometime 919.302.7319

>>.....call sometime 919.302.7319
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"To be the best..........You must lose your mind."

If you do something like that, and think you might need some help, give me a call. I wouldn't mind helping out with something like that. I have a few animals that I trust 100%, well 99.9% anyway.

Take care,
Matt

>>If you do something like that, and think you might need some help, give me a call. I wouldn't mind helping out with something like that. I have a few animals that I trust 100%, well 99.9% anyway.
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>>Take care,
>>Matt
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"To be the best..........You must lose your mind."

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