The most popular after-school club that I host is the Frog Pond Science Club. Children ages 5-9 can attend and uncover and discover ecosystem interactions at the frog pond. Using nets, magnifiers, and microscopes they investigate and learn from a naturalist how to protect and conserve the pond’s inhabitants.
Club members receive a membership card when attending. The card includes a code of ethics on the backside.
Frog Pond Science Club Code of Ethics: I do solemnly promise to catch and handle amphibians and other organisms with the utmost care and respect as to not hurt them. I promise to use the tools of the herpetologist to collect, observe, identify and release them. I promise to follow the rules of the club so as to give all participants the chance to enjoy and appreciate the opportunity to learn about nature.
Each session theme introduces different aspects of pond ecology and spends time outside directly interacting with the environment.
Some of my favorite lessons have included:
- Using Bubble Wrap to Represent Frog Eggs
- Making Frog Slime
- Reptile versus Amphibian Skin Test Using Hard-boiled Eggs
- & Crafting Plaster Pond Pals
David Alexander is author of the Buzz Into Action & Hop Into Action Science Curricula. He specializes in making nature accessible to people and wildlife. You can follow him at www.natureintoaction.com
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