The Rocky Shore Animals of New England

We met Mr. Waldo at the National Marine Educators Conference in Boston last spring. Because of his love for rocky shore animals, the touch tank display attracted his attention instantly. “Wow, this is exactly what I need for my classroom,” he said and calmly explained that interactive lessons are how to teach Science.

Many great educators that specialize in Science tell us that students comprehend more and stay interested longer with interactive instruction. Children must do science to learn science Mr. Waldo explained prior to going into detail about the many interactive activities in his classroom.  His excitement buried any reluctance that we had about the touch tank project.

We have learned since then that the Earth is living on borrowed time. Common household and commercial practices have produced devastating affects to the rocky shore animals. Fortunately, unlimited opportunities exist as a result. Hope exists because ingenuity focused on historical reference has abundant possibility.  Hope that I observed when we visited Mr. Waldo’s Science class the afternoon of March 7, 2009 at Berwick Academy in Southern Maine.

We visited these very bright kids with Touch Tanks for Kids supporter Sir. Charlton Shackleton. We borrow the “Sir” from his Great Great Grandfather whose adventures are chronicled in a book tiled The Life of Sir Ernest Shackleton, by Hugh Robert Miller. At the end of the 20th century, Shackleton became a cult figure and role model for leadership resulting from a survival story which polar historian Stephanie Barczewski describes as “incredible”. Sir Charlton’s short lecture supports the science and conservation message of the touch tank with a memorable history meeting that helps build motivation to learn. 

An inter-disciplinary approach to teaching provides abundant advantages for learning. The curriculum presents content, skills and assessments through exploring connections among the disciplines. A multi-disciplinary method prepares students for the challenges of a rapidly changing world and is the preferred technique of Mr. Waldo.

With help from the Liberian Jennifer Brewer and Art Instructor Taintor Child, Mr. Waldo and the touch tank, inspired each student in Mr. Summers’ fourth grade class to produced A Guide to Rocky Shore Animals of New England. Sarah learned that rough periwinkles are the prey of the dog whelks that Alex discovers come in white, orange or striped. We learned many important facts while studying the students’ project and this will defiantly help us share our mission

Matthew Waldo supersized us when he describe a dynamic that is often observe when displaying a touch tank. Multi-generational learning is a natural result of interactive activities.  Matt descried an encounter that sounded familiar. When visited by the older seventh grade students, the fourth graders were “thrilled” to share their knowledge and the seventh graders were “enthused” about listening.  “Teaching up” is an exciting way to improve the effectiveness of the education experience and interactive tools help facilitate the process

Mr. Summers’ fourth grade students are hopeful about their future and Mr. Waldo’s educational exercises including Lucy, a Bearded Dragon lizard and the touch tank that inspired students to research, illustrate and summarize the creatures that call it home in a useful and colorful guide that provided them with deeper understanding of nature.

The oceans have enormous potential but face real threats. Greater knowledge and understanding of our natural resources are a certainty when innovative leaders like Mr. Waldo have the resources necessary that open minds and reward creativity. Our trip to Berwick proved useful. We ate lunch, discovered the importance of multi-generational education and became inspired about the future.  A big thank you to Mr. Summers’ students for helping us accomplishes our mission by providing A Guide to Rocky Shore Animals of New England .

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