Burlington Science Center Blog

Several years ago, The Science Center ran a Wetlands/Beaver Habitat Field Trip for all 4^th grade students in the Burlington School System.  I became so excited about this particular animal, I decided to write my graduate thesis on the topic of Beavers and their habitat.

A few days ago, Burlington High School’s associate principal, Mr. Sheehan notified me of a possible beaver stuck in a fence at the pond near the High School football practice field.  I hurried down and to my surprise, an adult beaver had wedged itself in a flow device fence!

 

The fence had rotted away near the bottom section.  The beaver had climbed into the fence through the rotted section, and then tried to crawl out through one of the small square open sections. 

 

 Ben Marino assisted in retrieving a set of bolt cutters and I cut the sections of fencing.

 

 I proceeded to remove the top section of fence and climbed down to help the beaver.  Using the bolt cutters, I then removed the sqaure of fencing around the beaver.

 

 

With a slight push, off to freedom the Beaver went!

  It was a pleasure to help out such a beautiful animal in need.

Ms. Pavlicek and Ms. McInerney (BHS teacher) participated in a Salt Water Studies Course at the New Bedford Whaling Museum.  The weekend consisted of introducing teachers to Marine Science topics which could be connected to the prescribed MA State Science and Mathematics Frameworks.

 

 

 

We took a guided tour of the Museum, learning about all aspects of whaling in Massachusetts.  Some highlights of the tour were 3 real whale skeletons (blue whale, humpback, and the endangered right whale with fetus), a life-scale model of a whaling ship, and historical whaling artifacts.

 

 

 

 

 Some of the topics included:

-Water & our planet

-Ocean floor features

-Global winds and surface circulation

-Temperature & density of salt water

-Classification, productivity, & adaptations

-Marine vs. terrestrial food chains & webs

-Natural History and distribution of Whales

-Gulf of Maine-Geography and Geology

- Eutrophication

- Marine debris  

- Invasive species 

-Climate change & coastal impacts

-Energy use and water quality 

 

A visit to this museum would be a terrific family day trip!

Click on the link below to learn more about the New Bedford Whaling Museum.

 

http://www.whalingmuseum.org

 

 

 

This lab team watches the water filter through the sand and humus.  They used ordinary water bottles to create their scientific equipment.

All 1^st and 5^th grades participate in chick hatching throughout Burlington Public Schools. 

The Science Center grows the fertilized eggs for the first 18 days in our master incubator.

 On the 19^th day, Ms. Pavlicek delivers the eggs to the classroom incubators allowing the students to watch the chicks being born.

 

 

 

 

 

 Ms. Pavlicek presents a “Chicken & Egg” Program to the students prior to the hatch date.  Students learn about egg sizes, egg colors, the parts of the egg, how an egg is formed, and additional aspects about chickens and the hatching process.

 

 Ms. Pavlicek also filmed a video allowing the students to view the candling process of the eggs and an opportunity to view the master incubator at the Science Center.

 

 

 After the chicks hatch, they are moved into Brooder Boxes.  They are raised in the classrooms for 1 week, as students watch their behavior and learn the responsibility of taking care of a living thing.

The chicks are all returned to the farmer who sells us the fertilized eggs.

 

 

 When our students reach Burlington High School, I often ask what their most memorable experience was from the Science Center.  Most common answer is “Chick Hatching.”

 

 

 

 

Well, there is no doubt about it…ask any Burlington 5th grader about one of their favorite science activities and they are certain to tell you about their experience dissecting a real Squid!

This past week, The Burlington Science Center hosted the January meeting of the North Shore Science Supervisors.  This organization is comprised of greater Boston Science Directors, Science Teachers, Museum Personnel, College Professors and Administrators from the Science Department at the Massachusetts Department of Education.  All of the members share the mutual goal of making Science an exciting learning experience for children and adults.

The Burlington Science Center is viewed as a pathfinder in the world of high-powered Science education.  Visitors attended the meeting to catch a glimpse of what makes the Science Center a special place for learning.

Dr. David Lyons, president of the group, chaired the meeting and shared the agenda with Mr. Vinnie Loughlin of Flinn Scientific.  Flinn sponsored the meeting and showcased some of their new products with the group.

One of the concerns shared by the group dealt with the lack of Earth Science being offered at the High School level across the State of Massachusetts.  The discussion focused on the fact that the MA Dept. of Education doesn’t offer an Earth Science exam at this time.  The result is that many Public High Schools in the State have dropped their Earth Science courses.  The group intends to share these concerns with the leadership at the Massachusetts Department of Education. The number of students entering college in the Earth Science related areas has dropped off significantly on a National level. Hopefully, our concerns will result in an increased number of High Schools offering a variety of Earth Science courses.

Ms. Pavlicek, Dave Luther, Dr. Lyons and John Papadonis demonstrated the Science Center’s famous Tesla Coil

 

 

African Grey Parrot

 

 

 

Name: Crystal

Gender: Female

Age: 9 years old

Hobbies: Watching TV, listening to the radio, eating peanuts

 

Crystal was given to Science Center from U.S. Fish and Wildlife in 2001.  She was taken from her mother in Africa to be sold in the pet trade and confiscated coming into the country at an airport.  These parrots can sell for over one thousand dollars.

 

Crystal visits Burlington classrooms throughout the school year.  The Science Center uses her in many educational programs, focusing on the characteristics of birds and animal adaptations.

 

African Grey parrots are known to be some of the most intelligent animal species.  They have amazing vocabulary and voice mimicry skills. Check out the link below to watch an AMAZING African Grey parrot on the Animal Planet show “Pet Star.”

 

http://animal.discovery.com/beyond/index.html?playerId=203719213&categoryId=210013718

 

At Harvard University, Dr. Irene Pepperberg has done many psychological studies on the intelligence of African Grey Parrots.  Check out the website below:

 

http://www.alexfoundation.org/Alex_and_me.html

 

To learn more about African Grey Parrots:

 

http://www.waza.org/virtualzoo/factsheet.php?id=218-003-055-001&view=Psittaciformes

 

The Burlington Science Center recently spoke at the Burlington Garden Club’s September meeting. The presentation highlighted the Plant Science Curriculum in the Elementary Schools.

 

Garden Club members voted to appropriate funding for the 4^th Grade Annual Tulip Dissection and this year’s Growing Contest: Burlington’s Largest Sunflower.

 

Thank you Burlington Garden Club for your interest and support!

Click below to read about Wild Turkeys in Massachusetts.  Check out the “FAQ” section (frequently asked questions).

http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/wildlife/facts/birds/turkey/turkey_home.htm

Happy Turkey Day from the Science Center!

I had the pleasure of observing and photographing the Science Center’s Chilean Rose-hair Tarantula during its molt.

Click below to view pictures of “Shadow” the Tarantula as she molts.

 tarantula-molting

 Tarantulas are invertebrate animals that need to shed their complete exoskeleton in order to grow.  Molting may occur as often as once a month in young “spiderlings”, or only once every one to two years in adults. As a molt approaches, the tarantula may refuse food, sometimes for several weeks or even months. Further evidence of an upcoming molt is reduced activity, increased use of silk as it creates a webby “molting mat” and dull coloration.

When a tarantula molts it will turn onto its “back.”  Pressure changes within the molting tarantula will cause its old exoskeleton to separate at the carapace and abdomen. It will pull its legs out of its old skin much like you pull your fingers out of a glove. The cast exoskeleton looks much like a hollowed-out complete tarantula. Once the process is completed the pale-colored tarantula will rest and then spend the course of the next week growing, as its new exoskeleton hardens.  This is the time when the tarantula is its most vulnerable. Tarantulas may fully harden in 3-4 days or up to two weeks.

To learn more about tarantulas, check out links below:

http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/bugs/tarantula.html

 

 http://www.tarantulas.com/