Spy a Spider and Be a Bee! Connecting with Nature in the Classroom. (AKA Conquer Your Arachnophobia Right Here Right Now.)

Using live creatures, biologically correct costumes, games and more, I will show you how to truly engage your students with science and nature. When kids get to hold an animal, especially one that is perceived as 'scary,' such as a tarantula, the mental bridge they cross leads them to intense interest, deeper compassion, and personal growth. In this presentation, you can experience this for yourself! We will have various invertebrates to observe and handle as examples of using live creatures as long-term class projects or one-time experiences. Of course you don't have to hold a tarantula if you don't want to, but I think you'll want to!