Same Bat-time . . . . . . . .

Barra de Navidad, Jalisco, Mexico

January 23, 2010

Science Friday (we are Ira Flatow inspired) may be an addition to our curriculum as its first installment, Bat Day, was a screeching success.  I can’t take any credit for this one, but I can so glad that we had the chance to go along for the ride.  Thank you, Oso Blanco! 

We were invited to head into the marina to the boat Oso Blanco where Ann had ready for us an entire lesson on bats.  There were eight “students” between the ages of 4 years old and 11 and a half.  The kids colored bat pictures, then we learned some bat facts by acting them (a resemblance to charades could be imagined).  At the tail end of a “Stellaluna” video, we watched a bat expert went over a few more bats facts and myths in a very kid friendly way.  Finally, it was time for the field trip to the other side of the marina where bats “hung out” in an abandoned building.  Luckily, we had some dads with us who were more than willing to go on a bat hunt.  We found bats immediately and the kids were thrilled.  They checked out a bunch of the rooms and found more bats.  With their bat radar on high alert, we then checked out the amphitheater next door just for the fun of it.  Sure enough, those kids even spotted a small cluster of bats holed up in the corner.

So it was a great afternoon, the kids had fun and they probably even learned something!