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Bats: Cute Crazy Cool!

A one-time class that delves into some of the mysterious and surprising behaviors of bats, taught by a bat expert.

Donald Solick

Average rating:

5.0

Number of reviews:

(13)

What's included

1 live meeting

45 mins in-class hours

Class Experience

Bats are truly amazing animals. In this one-time class we will explore some of their more unusual and incredible adaptations and behaviors, such as coevolution between bats and moths, bat-plant interactions, vampire bats, and more! Tropical bats are a focus. I am a bat expert with 25 years of research experience, including 20 years of experience giving bat talks to classrooms and other groups, so students will learn from a real live Batman!

Please let me know if a different day or time would work better for you. I am flexible!

This class is aimed at learners between the ages of 8 and 12, but younger learners that have advanced knowledge of bats, or who have already taken my introductory class 'Learn About Bats!', are welcome. I begin this class with a review of basic bat biology so that we are all on the same page with our bat knowledge.

Powerpoint is used to show beautiful photos of bats as I discuss them, as well as several interesting video clips of their behaviors. The talk is interactive and engaging, and I ask questions to learners and tell jokes along the way. Questions are answered during and after the presentation. No materials other than a love for bats is needed. :)

Class photo is a colony of Honduran white bats, taken by Merlin Tuttle of Merlin Tuttle's Bat Conservation.

Learning Goals

Students will review the basics of bats, and learn about the coevolutionary arms race between bats and moths: different adaptions moths have evolved to defend themselves against bats, and behaviors bats have evolved to circumvent those defenses. Next, students learn about some interesting bats from the tropics, such as fishing bats, nectar-feeding bats, frog-eating bats, wrinkle-faced bats, and vampire bats. We finish by learning about different bat-plant interactions, including a bizarre and hilarious symbiotic relationship.

Other Details

External Resources

Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.

Donald Solick

Joined October, 2020

5.0

13reviews

Profile

Teacher expertise and credentials

I teach classes on bats! I have been involved with bat research for 25 years. For 20 of those years I have made a practice of giving talks on bat biology and conservation to classrooms and other groups. I love bats, and I love teaching people about them. My talks feature gorgeous photos, sound and video clips, and relentless enthusiasm to keep students engaged and educated. :)

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