Stevenson kindergarteners participate in hands-on animal lab with DuPage Children’s Museum

On November 10, kindergarten students in Melissa Loconte’s class at Stevenson School participated in a hands-on “Create a Creature” lab led by the DuPage Children’s Museum. The activity introduced students to various animal specimens, including insects and amphibians preserved in resin, as well as skulls and hides. Students interacted with these items, pretending to have shark teeth or a bear’s jaw and guessing the identity of different specimens.

“We learn about animals every day in class,” said Ms. Loconte. “But during this lesson, students got to touch real specimens for the first time!”

After examining the samples, students used materials such as pipe cleaners, clay, construction paper, and feathers to create their own imaginative creatures. Some of their creations included a blue seal, a feathered insect, and a pink hippopotamus-like figure with a toothy grin.

“Students loved the clay most of all,” said Ms. Loconte. “It was very exciting to see them take ownership of their animal creations and feel proud of what they made.”

Stevenson School is part of Villa Park School District 45 in DuPage County. The district includes several schools such as Ardmore Elementary School and Jackson Middle School (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/). According to state data, Villa Park School District 45 employs 224 teachers who earn an average salary of $74,159 before pension contributions; most are women (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/). The student population is diverse: 43.4 percent White, 7.8 percent Black, 35.4 percent Hispanic, and 8.2 percent Asian (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/). In 2020, the district spent $23,216 per student for a total expenditure of $76,753,683 (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/).

A note of appreciation was extended to Ms. Loconte and the DuPage Children’s Museum for providing this interactive learning experience.