Science

Being Green

By E. Merle Watkins — September 30, 2005 1 min read
  • Save to favorites
  • Print

Dwight Sieggreen never expected to be running a nursery. He’s a 7th grade science teacher, after all. But a nursery-cum-bordello—for frogs and toads, no less—is exactly what his school’s old greenhouse has become.

Dwight Sieggreen, 7th grade science teacher at Hillside Middle School in Northville, Michigan.

The blame for the wet floors, humidity, and occasional amphibian escapees can be laid squarely on his students at Hillside Middle School in Northville, Michigan. They’re the ones who, upon Sieggreen’s return from a Fulbright Memorial Fund trip to Japan four years ago, took to heart the plight of the increasingly rare species he’d studied there and proposed that they help out by breeding some frogs and toads of their own.

Michigan winters aren’t suited to the rainforest dwellers Sieggreen’s classes wanted to breed, but with the help of grants and guidance from the Detroit Zoological Institute and others, the school was able to simulate their natural habitat. The furnishings for the greenhouse’s 10 species include 27 water tanks, three water reservoirs, a rain chamber, and special lighting to mimic sunlight, all of which the students must maintain daily.

Their diligence has paid off: In 2003, Sieggreen’s class managed to breed Surinam toads (Pipa pipa), the South American creatures Sieggreen calls “so ugly, they’re beautiful.” As far as he knows, “We’re the only school that’s ever been able to raise Pipas,” the teacher says. The feat is rare even in zoos such as Detroit’s National Amphibian Conservation Center, where the seven class-raised toads are now on display. Sieggreen’s students have also had success producing other toad offspring and are now taking on the challenge of propagating other species.

Even more impressive than helping imperiled exotic animals, however, may be what the students learn in the process. Chris Ponder, an 8th grader who was in Sieggreen’s class and worked closely with the frogs last year, recalls that being able to interact with them really brought science to life.

“It was just the coolest thing,” he says. “I could’ve never understood it that well from a book.”

A version of this article appeared in the October 01, 2005 edition of Teacher as Being Green

Events

This content is provided by our sponsor. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of Education Week's editorial staff.
Sponsor
Recruitment & Retention Webinar
Exploring Staff Shortage Impact on Education
Learn about the impact of staff shortages, changing roles of educators, and how technology supports teachers & students.
Content provided by Promethean
This content is provided by our sponsor. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of Education Week's editorial staff.
Sponsor
Assessment Webinar
Improving Outcomes on State Assessments with Data-Driven Strategies
State testing is around the corner! Join us as we discuss how teachers can use formative data to drive improved outcomes on state assessments.
Content provided by Instructure
This content is provided by our sponsor. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of Education Week's editorial staff.
Sponsor
Equity & Diversity Webinar
Classroom Strategies for Building Equity and Student Confidence
Shape equity, confidence, and success for your middle school students. Join the discussion and Q&A for proven strategies.
Content provided by Project Lead The Way

EdWeek Top School Jobs

Teacher Jobs
Search over ten thousand teaching jobs nationwide — elementary, middle, high school and more.
View Jobs
Principal Jobs
Find hundreds of jobs for principals, assistant principals, and other school leadership roles.
View Jobs
Administrator Jobs
Over a thousand district-level jobs: superintendents, directors, more.
View Jobs
Support Staff Jobs
Search thousands of jobs, from paraprofessionals to counselors and more.
View Jobs

Read Next

Science If Climate Change Education Matters, Why Don’t All Teachers Teach It?
Climate change education in schools is sporadic and limited, despite student interest and the urgency of the issue as temperatures rise and weather patterns become more severe.
6 min read
Photo of a child working on a save the planet poster.
E+ / Getty
E+ / Getty
Science Will Restrictions on Teaching 'Controversial' Issues Target Science Classes?
Proposals that target the teaching of evolution aren't new, experts say. But they're changing shape in the current political moment.
5 min read
Antique copy of On the Origin of Species by Charles Darwin, first published in 1859 it is considered to be the foundation of evolutionary biology
Duncan Walker/E+
Science 5 Ways to Make Computer Science More Accessible to All Students
There is a persistent income gap among students taking computer science classes in high school and those who aren't.
5 min read
Students in a computer class with worksheets and laptops.
iStock/Getty Images Plus
Science How to Teach Climate Change: Your Questions, Answered
Two EdWeek reporters answered educators' questions about climate change education and combating feelings of hopelessness among students.
10 min read
Close up of child holding seedling during school science project.
Drazen Zigic/iStock