USAO students brings science out of the classroom

Students at Grand Elementary and kids visiting the Wichita Wildlife Refuge benefitted from a new program that sends biology majors from the University of Science and Arts out into the public to share their research.

Students from USAO showed the children live and preserved samples of arthropods, such as shrimp, and gave demonstrations on the nature and structure of these creatures.

The program is available to any school or group who wishes to provide their students with an in-depth look into the science of arthropods.

USAO students contributing to this program are Matt Crow, a junior from Collierville, Tenn.; Jacob Hollenbeck, a junior biology major from Ardmore; Paige Pulliam, a junior from Newcastle; Sara Gibbs, a freshman from Claremore; Megan Burcke, a freshman from Oklahoma City; and Rory Barron, a junior biology major from Spencer.

“It was exciting to see the students so involved in the work needed for the displays,” said Dr. Jeanette Loutsch, assistant professor of biology at USAO. “I was very impressed with all of their hard work.”

The students exhibited preserved samples of arthropods from the past and present, as well as live samples that included hermit crabs, millipedes and three Madagascar hissing cockroaches.

They built an arthropod model out of pretzels and marshmallows to show the students and assisted the younger students with chemistry experiments to determine the types of samples.

“It’s fun to watch the kids learn and play,” said Crow, president of the biology and associated sciences club. “These kids will definitely be the smart kids in class.”

Any school or organization interested in hosting the arthropod exhibit is invited to contact Dr. Loutsch, at 574-1325 or via e-mail from the staff/faculty page at usao.edu.