Study of raptors transforms Helke third graders into young scientists
December 20, 2011 10:19AM
On December 13, Aullwood Audubon Center Education Coordinator Tom Hissong visited Helke Elementary third graders to talk about birds of prey and adaptations. A self-professed bird watcher of 45 years, Hissong kept his audience captivated as he talked about specific raptors and demonstrated their special adaptations. Hissong illustrated his talk with a stuffed great horned owl and a live kestrel.
Following Hissong’s presentation, the students became young scientists and dissected owl pellets. The pellets are bits of fur, bone and other indigestible material that owls regurgitate after eating. The project required a bit of detective work as students classified what they were looking at to reconstruct the owls’ diet.
Hissong was brought to the school with a McDonald’s MAC grant.
See photos from the event here: Birds of Prey