Weird Science: Playing Possum?
In this one-time class, students will learn about the strange behaviour of some animals that can help in their survival!
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! Ever wonder why some animals play dead? It turns out, there's more to this curious behaviour than meets the eye. Join us for a thought-provoking one-time class as we delve into the intriguing world of animal catatonia and explore the evolutionary reasons behind this fascinating phenomenon. Similar to how certain behaviours have played pivotal roles in human evolution, the concept of animals playing dead carries its own set of evolutionary advantages. This unique behaviour might have been one of the key adaptations for survival in various species, offering insights into the intricate dance between prey and predator. Join us as we dissect the science behind animal catatonia, or “playing dead.” Uncover the evolutionary strategies that may have led to the development of this behaviour and its significance in the survival toolkit of different species. Whether you're a science enthusiast, nature lover, or simply curious about the marvels of the animal kingdom, this class is your ticket to understanding the quirky yet strategic world of animal catatonia. Join us for a journey into Weird Science as we unravel the mysteries behind why animals play dead and what it means for their survival. *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 learn about the potential purposes playing dead may serve in animal survival.
Other Details
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Sources
Select References:
Humphreys and Ruxton (2018). A review of thanatosis (death feigning) as an anti-predator behaviour. Behavioural Ecology and Sociobiology
Miyatake et al. (2004). Is death-feigning adaptive? Heritable variation in fitness difference of death-feigning behaviour. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences
Clerici and Veneroni (2011). The Impossible Escape: Studies on the tonic immobility in animals from a comparative psychology perspective. Nova Novinka
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 7 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 9-14
2-10 learners per class
