This podcast was great and very timely! I found talking reef last week and I have listened to all of the episodes to date so far. I've been in the hobby, FW for about 5 years, SW for about a year (FOWLR). I have been wanting to setup a Reef tank for a while though. We started homeschooling this year and I have two elementary aged children that want to learn more about the ocean and its sea animals. What better way to teach them, and a reason to set one up, than with an reef tank. I haven't seen any information on this thread yet about working with the Homeschool community. I think at least some would have great interest in the topic and since there is not as much red tape, would be an easy way to get the idea up and running. A question I have for you guys is what to teach to elementary children about the aquarium, grades K, 3? My first thought was just fact gathering. I am definitely one who wants to teach them the foundations of the hobby/science not just random facts. I think I understand a lot about the foundation, but sometimes that isn't the easiest to convey to children.
I appreciate this podcast and look for any assistance you are willing to offer.
This podcast was great and very timely! I found talking reef last week and I have listened to all of the episodes to date so far. I've been in the hobby, FW for about 5 years, SW for about a year (FOWLR). I have been wanting to setup a Reef tank for a while though. We started homeschooling this year and I have two elementary aged children that want to learn more about the ocean and its sea animals. What better way to teach them, and a reason to set one up, than with an reef tank. I haven't seen any information on this thread yet about working with the Homeschool community. I think at least some would have great interest in the topic and since there is not as much red tape, would be an easy way to get the idea up and running. A question I have for you guys is what to teach to elementary children about the aquarium, grades K, 3? My first thought was just fact gathering. I am definitely one who wants to teach them the foundations of the hobby/science not just random facts. I think I understand a lot about the foundation, but sometimes that isn't the easiest to convey to children.
I appreciate this podcast and look for any assistance you are willing to offer.
Thanks,
Shawn
Shawn,
Hey, WELCOME TO TALKING REEF!!! The home school community is a very interesting idea and while grades K-3 are a little young for some facts and concepts, they can accomplish more than you think with the right guidance.
I think that age isn't too young to start demonstrating to them the "nature of science". It is a similar concept to the "scientific method", but expanded beyond just "hypothesis formation - collecting data - accept/reject hypothesis".
If you are interested in this, please PM me, I will be announcing a project soon that seems to be right up your alley.
to TR. Our son is 18 and a sophomore in college so I don't have much input into the homeschool question. That being said, my 5 year old niece said the first time she saw my maroon clown "That's a fish like Nemo." Now to me that certainly says that even a pre-schooler makes observations and extrapolations! So, go for it! I bet you will be pleased with the results.
That being said, my 5 year old niece said the first time she saw my maroon clown "That's a fish like Nemo." Now to me that certainly says that even a pre-schooler makes observations and extrapolations! So, go for it! I bet you will be pleased with the results.
Thanks Carmie. BTW, Go Bucks! I live in Indiana, but originally from Columbus, OH. I really am quite excited about what they will learn in doing this project. Observation and memorization is definitely going to be my focus at least at this point. Worked with them on the Nitrogen cycle today as we were setting up a new FW tank for another pair of Convict Cichlids that needs to be isolated from the others. We were just reviewing the cycle over dinner and I believe they may have it. Another few days of working on it and I think they will have it memorized.
I love OSU! It's my alma mater and I actually lived in the Stadium Scholarship Dorm when it was in the Stadium!
I'd encourage your children to do the testing and recording too. That way they have the rote knowledge and get to do some fun chemistry stuff and see it working in real life.
You know what, we may have to start a thread on all this (using aquariums in education). Honestly, not a bunch has been written regarding their use as an instructional tool. However, aquariums are simulations, as i mentioned before, and a whole bunch of articles can be found on simulations (see Rob's pdf post way up top). A lot of the writing can be pretty boring, however, and an active Q/A post might be a great idea. Brian is working on something as well that, when it is anounced, should be perfect for this type of work.
I am glad to hear you are thinking of using an aquarium with younger kids. I wish we had the opportunity to work with some of the middle schoolers during the study Adam and I did. The key is the same, i think, regardless of age. This is what i will need a longer post for, but i will get it up here soon.
And rob, a skype conference call may indeed be in order here. So many great ideas are hard to formulate on threads.
__________________ Samuel
"If they but knew it, almost all men in their degree, some time or other, cherish very nearly the same feelings towards the ocean with me.... There is magic in it. Let the most absent-minded men be plunged in his deepest reveries--stand that man on his legs, set his feet a-going, and he will infallibly lead you to water, if water there be in all that region."
Wow!! These are really great ideas and concepts! I love the educational aspect and what better way to get our future interested in our planet and conservation of it. Even if the kids are too young to understand the chemistry of it all, it will provide them with a love and respect for nature, animals, and earth and hopefully make them think twice about how they choose to live their lives.
Wow!! These are really great ideas and concepts! I love the educational aspect and what better way to get our future interested in our planet and conservation of it. Even if the kids are too young to understand the chemistry of it all, it will provide them with a love and respect for nature, animals, and earth and hopefully make them think twice about how they choose to live their lives.
Amen! Educate them while they are young, before they get to be adults that are set in their ways
Wow!! These are really great ideas and concepts! I love the educational aspect and what better way to get our future interested in our planet and conservation of it. Even if the kids are too young to understand the chemistry of it all, it will provide them with a love and respect for nature, animals, and earth and hopefully make them think twice about how they choose to live their lives.
Oh most definatly baby...err reefbaby . One thing we observed in our study was that the students seemed to react quite well to just having something in front of them; a living, needy creature that required them to do their research to survive. I was just in the process of transcribing some interviews, ohhh so boring, and something jumped out at me. I quized them on the fish they wanted (diet, conditions, original location, habitat) and they knew the answers. I didn't remember this, glad i had it on tape. They actually retained the info on the longnosed hawkfish (the "punk rocker fish" as titled by one of the students), mandarin, lionfish, clown, sea dragon (more or less), and sea horses. Not bad considering we never actually taught it to them--all that was from their own research.
Hopefully this information will be carried with them. Like Brian said just above, the younger the better. Even if they forget about it for 10 years, they might just come back to it later. However, although i am always excited to hear about new aquarists, it does come with risks. This is partly the reason i was emphasizing the importance of tank bred fish to the students. They honestly didn't know that many were caught 'nemo style' from the reefs. Too much demand for wild caught can have a devistating effect on the reef populations. If enough newcommers, such as myself honestly, seriously consider the pet they are getting, perhaps they will become more consciencous of the hobby, the enviroment, and the need for responsible conservation.
__________________ Samuel
"If they but knew it, almost all men in their degree, some time or other, cherish very nearly the same feelings towards the ocean with me.... There is magic in it. Let the most absent-minded men be plunged in his deepest reveries--stand that man on his legs, set his feet a-going, and he will infallibly lead you to water, if water there be in all that region."
icon under their name to add to their reputation. 
to TR. Our son is 18 and a sophomore in college so I don't have much input into the homeschool question. That being said, my 5 year old niece said the first time she saw my maroon clown "That's a fish like Nemo." Now to me that certainly says that even a pre-schooler makes observations and extrapolations! So, go for it! I bet you will be pleased with the results.
. One thing we observed in our study was that the students seemed to react quite well to just having something in front of them; a living, needy creature that required them to do their research to survive. I was just in the process of transcribing some interviews, ohhh so boring, and something jumped out at me. I quized them on the fish they wanted (diet, conditions, original location, habitat) and they knew the answers. I didn't remember this, glad i had it on tape. They actually retained the info on the longnosed hawkfish (the "punk rocker fish" as titled by one of the students), mandarin, lionfish, clown, sea dragon (more or less), and sea horses. Not bad considering we never actually taught it to them--all that was from their own research. 
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