Protect the Penguins!
First graders build comfy shelters.
The first graders learned all about African penguins, which is the only species of penguins found in the Old World. Currently, these penguins are classed as endangered.
Boulders Beach is a sheltered inlet in South Africa. A colony of penguins settled there, as the supply of sardines and anchovies was plentiful.
The place has become quite a tourist spot, as it is possible to view and even swim near the penguins. Who wouldn't want to do that? The students have become quite fascinated by these cute creatures.
Science Specialist Deb Landon had the students work on a special project to build shelters for the penguins to keep them cool in the South African sun.
First, she had the students explore different materials to see what would work best. They investigated the properties of corrugated cardboard, Styrofoam, aluminum foil, and cloth to see what worked best to repel the heat. They discovered that light materials reflected heat away.
Next, they used various tools to begin constructing their shelters.
Ms. Landon gave them specific safety instructions for using scissors, cardboard cutters, and hot glue guns.
The students worked in pairs to assemble their projects.
When the structures were complete, there was a competition! Ms. Landon placed an "ice penguin" in each shelter and let them sit in the sun. The team whose ice was the last to melt was the winner.
Ms. Landon, an official "Ambassador of Curiosity," knows how to spark students' interest in a subject and then use their ingenuity and empathy to create projects.
Jacksonville Country Day School
Located in Jacksonville, FL, Jacksonville Country Day School is a private school for Pre-K 3 through 5th grade. JCDS prepares students for a healthy and productive lifetime of intellectual exploration, character development, and social responsibility.
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