Tactile tanks for children Fulfilling missions

Mr. Waldo and I met at the National Conference of Marine Educators in Boston last spring. The tank’s touch screen instantly caught his eye. “Wow, this is exactly what I need for my classroom,” he said, calmly explaining that interactive lessons are how to teach science.

Many great science educators tell me that students understand more and stay engaged longer with interactive instruction. Children must do science to learn science, Mr. Waldo explained to me before going into detail about the many interactive activities in his classroom. His enthusiasm buried any reluctance I had about the touch tank project I got involved with to make right for all the terrible things I did to the seas during my time in the Navy.

I have since learned that the Earth is living on borrowed time. Common domestic and commercial practices have produced devastating effects. Fortunately, there are limitless opportunities as a result. Hope exists because ingenuity focused on historical reference has abundant possibilities. I hope I saw this when I visited Mr. Waldo’s science class on the afternoon of March 7, 2009 at Berwick Academy in southern Maine. Fortunately, after apologizing for my past destructive actions, the students in Mr. Summer’s fourth grade class forgave me and for that I am grateful.

I visited these very intelligent children with my good friend and fateful companion Sir. Charlton Shackleton. He borrowed the “Lord” from his great-great-grandfather whose adventures are narrated in a book entitled The life of Sir Ernest Shackletonby Hugh Robert Miller.

In the late 20th century, Shackleton became a cult figure and role model for leadership as a result of a story of survival that polar historian Stephanie Barczewski describes as “incredible”. Sir Charlton’s short lecture supports the touch tank’s scientific and conservation message with a memorable historical reunion that helps build motivation to learn.

An interdisciplinary approach to teaching provides many advantages for learning. The curriculum introduces content, skills, and assessments through the exploration of connections between the disciplines. A multidisciplinary approach prepares students for the challenges of a rapidly changing world and is Mr. Waldo’s preferred technique.

With the help of librarian Jennifer Brewer and art instructor Taintor Child, Mr. Waldo and the touch tank inspired each member of Mr. Summers’ fourth grade class to produceA Guide to the Animals of the Rocky Shores of New Englandnow available by request. Sarah learned that rough periwinkles are preyed upon by dog ​​whelks which Alex discovers come in white, orange, or striped. I learned a lot of important facts while studying the student project and this will definitely help Touch Tanks for Kids to share their clean water message and support the advancement of interactive and interdisciplinary learning activities.

Matthew Waldo surprised me when he described a dynamic I often see when showing off the touch tank. Multigenerational learning is a natural result of interactive activities. Matt described an encounter that sounded familiar. When the older seventh graders visited, the fourth graders were “thrilled” to share their knowledge and the seventh graders were “excited” to listen. “Teaching” is an exciting way to improve the effectiveness of the educational experience, and interactive tools help make the process easier.

Mr. Summers’ fourth grade students are hopeful about their future and Mr. Waldo’s educational exercises, including Lucy, a bearded dragon lizard, and the touch tank, inspired students to investigate, illustrate, and summarize the creatures that inhabit it in a useful and colorful guide. which gave them a deeper understanding of nature.

The oceans have enormous potential, but face real threats. Greater knowledge and understanding of our natural resources is a certainty when innovative leaders like Matt Waldo and others I have met have the necessary resources that open minds and reward creativity. Our trip to Berwick proved useful. We ate lunch, discovered the importance of multigenerational education, and having earned it, we were inspired about the future. Many thanks to Mr. Summers’ students for helping Touch Tanks for Kids fulfill their mission.