Chapel Hill Middle School teacher Mary Beth Simmons is bringing science to life with some new pets in her classroom.
Simmons used a Pets in the Classroom grant to get seven hermit crabs, a tank and other materials for her seventh-grade Life Science classes to observe.
Simmons’ students recently participated in a Hermit Crab Lab focused on how human activity affects the hermit crabs. Simmons called the lab “one of the best days I’ve had teaching.”
During the lab, “students researched, were presented with multiple types of material, and discussed what hermit crabs are and what they need to survive,” she said. They also worked together to build a safe and healthy environment for the crabs in the classroom.
“Students loved seeing the hermit crabs up close, and they all enjoyed getting to get hands-on,” Simmons said. “Several students had crabs crawl up their arms and they all were amazed by how they held onto shirts and skin without pinching.”
She added: “Our Hermit Crab Lab was an engaging and enjoyable way to explore our classroom pets and get hands-on with an uncommon animal. The students worked well together for the safety of the crabs and showed they understood the scientific method through their lab reports. We were able to bring the state standards to life in this lab and students are looking forward to the rest of the year in Life Science.”