Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/619098
T H E G E C K O S A R E motionless, but when crickets are sprinkled into the aquarium they gobble them at lightning speed. Some students gather around the glass to observe. Others watch on a screen. "Observe how the animals' senses are triggered by movement," says Brad Collins, in the whispered tone of an Ani- mal Planet host. "You can put something in there from a pet store in a shiny new wrapper. But if it doesn't move, it doesn't interest our geckos." The same might be true of students, muses Collins, who teaches second grade at Camarena Elementary School in Chula Vista. If something moves, they are definitely much more interested. The Chula Vista Edu- cators member has a menagerie: five fish, two aquatic turtles, two leopard geckos, three land hermit crabs, two hamsters, a few birds and two starfish in his classroom, renamed the Camarena Life Science Center. Kids love learning about critters, so Collins uses them to inspire a love of learning. Students are so enthralled that they don't realize they're learning chal- lenging science, math and English lessons — as well as responsibility, since animals depend on them for survival. Then there's the wow factor. Students were amazed to learn that starfish eat and poop out of the same opening. As hushed as grownups watching a golf tournament, they wait for a shrimp to be eaten, then applaud. "This is just so dramatic!" exclaims Maranda Santos. Collins turned his classroom into a zoo three years ago and received an IFT grant last year. Students learn what various animals need to survive; how to manage those needs in an indoor, controlled environment; and how those needs interact with other species, plant life, the water cycle and the larger environment. Everything is interconnected: Math cal- culations determine animals' food and space needs; students blog about animals for language arts; and science is everywhere. Students broadcast happen- ings on Apple TV for YouTube viewers. They create videos about habitats using a special "green screen app" that cre- ates backgrounds that look as though they are standing in a jungle or desert. "It's authentic learning," says Collins. "Students are having real experiences. Sometimes it isn't perfect. But everything is a teachable moment." Brad Collins Class is a zoo while I'm doing something to help others. It feels good." CTW was only for AP students initially, but teens liked it so much that Conley decided every senior at her school should have the opportunity. CTW, supported by a grant from CTA's Institute for Teaching (IFT), now includes 200 students at three high schools. Students ask local mentors to guide them. "The goal is to develop personal strengths and passions through unique service projects, which benefits the local community and the world as a whole, one project at a time," says Conley, Fortuna Union High School Teachers Association. "Students engage in brainstorming, proposal and budget writing, collaboration, and networking. They grow so much from this experience." Sam Sederberg would agree. She started a Soroptimist Club at Fortuna, which encourages leadership in young women. She developed enough confidence to engage in public speaking, which used to terrify her. Katie Holland revived the school's neglected garden, and is proud to see it producing food for the school's cafeteria. She says she finally understands the importance of fresh food and proper nutrition, and is spreading the word in a healthy foods campaign. Past projects have included a poetry slam to bring the com- munity together, a soccer camp for youths, a program to mentor bilingual kindergartners, and a Mother's Day event for seniors. "Students oen remark that they have no way to make the world better," says Conley. "They don't believe in their own power at first. Then they start to dream big. It puts a fire in their bones. You might say that Change the World launches students out of their comfort zone — and into the rest of their lives." "Students are having real experiences. Sometimes it isn't perfect. But everything is a teachable moment." 22 cta.org THE ISSUE INNOVATION