At Canyon View, science for lunch
By Jamar Younger
ARIZONA DAILY STAR
About 50 Canyon View Elementary School students anxiously sat in the school's library Friday, waiting for Ed Moll to unveil what he had in his black bag.
When Moll pulled out a gopher snake and wrapped it around his neck, the group let out a chorus of "wows" as he began to walk around the library and explain different characteristics and facts about snakes.
Moll, a Tucson Herpetological Society volunteer, was visiting the school's Math, Science and Technology club, which meets every other Friday during the school's two lunch periods.
The club was created by parent Cynthia Nocon, who wanted to promote science education at the school and encourage student participation in the school's upcoming science fair this month.
"I think, these days, science is in everyday life. It's not something they should be afraid of," said Nocon, a former engineer.
The club began meeting in November and has hosted a variety of guests, ranging from the Sonoran Sea Aquarium to parent engineers who have conducted rocket demonstrations.
Nocon and Family Faculty Organization President Bonnie Kesler started working with school faculty in September to determine logistical issues such as how many students could participate and how long each meeting would last.
The club is open to any student who wishes to volunteer 20 minutes of their lunch, with kindergarten through second-grade students attending the first session and third- through fifth-graders participating in the second session, Nocon said.
The club allows parents to get involved, said Principal Marta Gunderson.
"It allows our parents to share their expertise in a given area," Gunderson said. "Kids are intrinsically interested in science and this gives them another opportunity to take part in learning about a variety of different areas."
Two groups of students sat through Moll's demonstration as he revealed numerous facts about snakes, such as how snakes smell with their tongues and can swallow things bigger than their heads.
Moll gave the students tips on how to protect themselves and snakes from harm.
"Enjoy them from a distance, but don't kill them," he said as he walked around the library to give students a closer view of the snake.
Moll also brought a common kingsnake, a mountain kingsnake and a mud turtle. The students were able to pet all of the animals.
Some of the students marveled at the new information they received.
"It takes a snake a couple of minutes to swallow a mouse or a rat," said second-grader Aziza Louri, 8.
Louri also learned about the life span of snakes.
"The bigger they are, the longer they live. They live about 20 to 30 years," Louri said.
Third-grader Evan Norwood, 8, found out some interesting facts about turtles.
"I never knew that a turtle like that would go into the ground for water and flip upside down to keep warm," Norwood said. "They can go for days or months without food."
Third-grader Katie Russell, 9, was surprised to learn that mud turtles can flip over by themselves and snakes can grow as big as humans.
"I didn't know a snake could be 6 feet tall," said Russell.
● Contact reporter Jamar Younger at 434-4076 or jyounger @azstarnet.com.
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