Weird Science: Nature’s Superheroes!
Unleash the marvels of the animal kingdom in this one-time class! Discover how animals wield their incredible adaptations, akin to the superpowers of comic book heroes, from bone claws to wall-climbing abilities.
John PhD
Average rating:
5.0
Number of reviews:(258)
Popular
Rising Star
What's included
1 live meeting
25 mins in-class hoursClass Experience
Science can be beautiful, miraculous, and sometimes downright weird! Nature is brimming with its very own superheroes! Dive into this one-time class to unravel the extraordinary adaptations of animals that seem straight out of comic book tales. Discover how the hairy frog channels its inner Wolverine with bone claws, geckos defy gravity with Spiderman-like wall-climbing using Van der Waals forces, and the lesser boatman echoes the sonic intensity of Banshee. Let’s dissect the science behind these remarkable feats, exploring the evolutionary origins of these superpowers and how they contribute to the survival and success of these incredible creatures. Whether you're a budding biologist, comic book enthusiast, or just curious about the wonders of the natural world, this class is your ticket to witnessing the jaw-dropping superpowers that animals wield in their everyday lives. Join us for an unforgettable journey into the realm of Nature's Superheroes, where reality outshines fiction. *The Weird Science series consists one-time classes that focus on unique, strange, or rarely discussed aspects of science. Classes may lean toward biology, chemistry, physics, math, geology, astronomy, psychology, or any other scientific discipline. Learners are not required to have attended any previous Weird Science classes, as each lesson is standalone, though feel free to check out the rest of the series if you are interested in the strange!
Learning Goals
Young scientists will gain insights into the mind-blowing adaptations of animals, understanding how these superpowers contribute to their survival and ecological roles.
Other Details
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Sources
Select References:
Blackburn et al. (2008). Concealed weapons: erectile claws in African frogs. Biology Letters
Sagi et al. (2019). Burrowing detritivores regulate nutrient cycling in a desert ecosystem. Proceedings of the Royal Society Biological Science
McNeill (2006). A new sense for muddy water. Journal of Experimental Biology
Teacher expertise and credentials
Master's Degree in Science from Saint Mary's University
Hello, Outschoolers!
My name is John and I have been a scientist and educator for over 15 years. I hold a Bachelor of Science (Honors in Biology), Master of Applied Sciences, and a Ph.D. in biology. Over my BSc, MSc and PhD I have designed and delivered courses for students aged 3 to 63 for class sizes ranging from one-on-one lessons to classrooms of over 300 students.
I have professionally taught subjects such as Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Astronomy, and Math, as well as more focused lessons such as courses in Public Speaking, Time Management, and Conversation Skills. I have worked as a scientific mentor and instructor to students in elementary school all the way to university. I hold certificates for 150-hour Teaching English as a Foreign Language and 250-hour Intensive Teaching certificates, and have participated in seminars for Grading and Giving Feedback to students. I have given scientific conference presentations to audiences of more than 700 people, and have published a number of peer-reviewed scientific articles. I also have experience coaching a variety of sports including hockey, basketball, and volleyball. I have been teaching courses online for 5 years to more than 1200 students.
I am a lifelong student and love to learn new things each day. My teaching philosophy revolves around this idea, that every student has a lot of their own to offer and I always try to relate any topic to a student's interest. You may find classes of mine that take popular culture and relate these hobbies and interests with academic concepts to help students relate to the material. My classes are often heavy in discussion (though no student is forced to speak if they do not want to) and we expand on the material in each lesson based on what students are most interested in. This often results in courses that interest me in particular and that I think can offer students a lot of value and critical thinking skills. I teach high-level academic courses, as well as conversation-based community development to foster interest in sharing things students enjoy.
Private, personalized tutoring is also available. Send me a message if interested.
I hope to see you all in class soon!
JohnReviews
Live One-Time Class
$21
per classMeets once
25 min
Completed by 9 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 9-14
2-10 learners per class
