During the Zoom call, penguin chicks were chasing each other, playing and eating as Pennycook stood just three feet away from them. (Credit: David Thomas)
Several classes at Bedminster Elementary School in the Pennridge School District recently took a discovery trip to Antarctica (virtually) to visit with some penguins and a zoologist.
The students observed hundreds of penguins across the Antarctic landscape via a Zoom call with zoologist Jean Pennycook, who works with Adelie penguins in Antarctica. Pennycook explained that she follows eight nests for her public website at https://penguinscience.com/nest-check/.
Bedminster Elementary students observe hundreds of penguins across the Antarctic landscape via a Zoom call with zoologist Jean Pennycook. (Credit: David Thomas)
The students had numerous questions for Pennycook, ranging from how often the penguins lay eggs to how much they eat. (Credit: David Thomas)The students had numerous questions for Pennycook, ranging from how often the penguins lay eggs to the ability to pet them to how much they eat and if they bite. As the classes were watching, penguin chicks were chasing each other, playing and eating as Pennycook stood just three feet away from them.
Pennridge Superintendent Angelo Berrios, who was also on the Zoom call, personally thanked Bedminster STEM Teacher Peg Volak for arranging the immersive virtual experience.
“What an incredible opportunity for our students to connect with such fascinating research happening all the way in Antarctica! I love how you have used technology to bring the world into our classrooms, which is amazing,” said Berrios.
“Projects like this show that distance is no obstacle when it comes to learning. Hearing directly from a scientist about these adorable penguins — and even getting to name the chicks — must be such a thrilling experience for our students. Thank you for all the creativity and thoughtfulness you put into your work. Simply put, it is initiatives like this that create memories and spark a lifelong love of learning.”
