What's included
4 live meetings
2 in-class hoursClass Experience
Alex the puppet will teach students about Axolotls in nature, as pets, and their use in the medical field. Alex uses discussion, question and answer socratic teaching, as well as engaging slide shows and sometimes video clips to demonstrate the information she is sharing. Students will have an opportunity to meet not only Alex and her friends, but also a real live axolotl pet and ask questions about their care. Beginners are welcome and no prior knowledge of axolotls are necessary, but some complex biological topics will be discussed at an age appropriate level. (See Learning goals for a complete list of topics to be covered)
Learning Goals
Week 1 : Axolotl Introduction: How do you say "axolotl"? Where does the word come from? Where do axolotls come from? What is happening to their habitat? Why is it important? What is habitat destruction and how does it impact all wildlife? What is an invasive species?
Week 2: Axolotl Life Cycle: How do axolotls reproduce? If they reproduce so much, why are they extinct? Why do they keep their gills when other salamanders don't? What are the floofs? Can they live outside of the water? What do baby axolotls look like?
Week 3: Axolotls in Medicine: Did you know Alex is a Doctor? Talk with Dr. Alex as she discusses her role in helping medical researchers understand the process of regeneration. We will talk about genetic modification and why some axolotls have a special jellyfish DNA that allows them to glow!
Week 4: Axolotls as Pets: Can you keep an axolotl at home? Some of the safe ways to purchase and care for an axolotl and keep a pet happy, and basic care requirements for an healthy axie pet!
Other Details
Parental Guidance
We will discuss axolotl reproduction and how to tell boy axolotls from girls, so some mention of genitalia is involved, using purely biological terminology which is age appropriate but accurate.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Teacher expertise and credentials
North Carolina Teaching Certificate in Science
Bachelor's Degree in Science from Texas A&M University
I am a retired marine biologist and axolotl mom. I have kept axolotls for years, bred them as well as worked with their genetics in conjunction with Carolina Axolotls. I also worked in medical research and have experience in veterinary pathology and histotechnology. I currently teach aquatic science, biology and chemistry at the high school level.
Reviews
Live Group Class
$45
for 4 classes1x per week, 4 weeks
30 min
Completed by 12 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 5-10
3-10 learners per class