Teaching Science with Hamsters
http://www.educationbuzz.net/articles/4303/1/Teaching-Science-with-Hamsters/Page1.html
Tristan Andrews
Tristan Andrews is a freelance author who writes articles about Tutoring Services and Downingtown, PA Tutoring. By Tristan Andrews
Published on 03/1/2010
Hamsters are an ideal pet for teaching and learning about a variety of subjects. They are suited for both the traditional classroom and for the homeschooling family.
Hamsters are an ideal pet for teaching and learning about a variety of subjects. They are suited for both the traditional classroom and for the homeschooling family. Because of their small size, clean habits, quiet natures and minimal care needs, they are perfect for almost any educational situation.
First you must choose what type of hamster you want to have. Syrian hamsters (also known as golden or teddy bear hamsters) must be kept alone in a housing unit. If you want to keep more than one, you must have more than one cage or aquarium. This can cause issue with space and monetary investment, especially with a traditional classroom.
Dwarf hamsters can be housed together if they have been raised together or are properly introduced to each other slowly. Keep in mind that having a male/female pair will cause a population explosion. It is best to have same-sex hamster groups for the classroom unless you are specifically breeding the hamsters for a project.
Note: if you have a traditional classroom, make sure you obtain permission before purchasing and bringing your hamsters into the classroom.
Here are some curriculum ideas for homeschooling families or the traditional classroom:
1. Use hamsters and the different breeds of hamsters to research and understand why scientific names are so important in describing and labeling animals. For example, the Syrian hamster is also known as the golden hamster or the teddy bear hamster, but it can be referred to by his scientific name (Mesocricetus auratus) and there would not be any confusion as to which species is being named.
2. Use hamsters to learn about genetics, selective breeding, line breeding, etc. Make sure that before you begin the project, you have homes for all of the pups. Hamsters mature early, so do not put off finding a place for them to go - they will need new homes at around 5-7 weeks.
3. Use hamsters to learn about scent, pheromones, and other chemicals that are needed for communication between certain animals. Point out that just because we may not be able to smell the chemicals used, doesn't mean they are not present. Our senses are simply not attuned to the hormones of other species.
4. Study the social order of the hamsters in the group. See if the students can pick out which hamster is dominant and which one is the least dominant. Research and discuss how other species also use this hierarchy system in order to keep a group under control. Discuss how this type of behavior relates to humans, if at all.
Hamsters can add a lively part to any curriculum. Having students care for the pets can also teach things such as responsibility and compassion. If in a traditional classroom, you can have students take turns caring for the hamster (feeding, cleaning the cage, etc.) and also take the hamster home over long holidays (but only with the parent's permission - having parents sign a permission slip is the best method for this).
First you must choose what type of hamster you want to have. Syrian hamsters (also known as golden or teddy bear hamsters) must be kept alone in a housing unit. If you want to keep more than one, you must have more than one cage or aquarium. This can cause issue with space and monetary investment, especially with a traditional classroom.
Dwarf hamsters can be housed together if they have been raised together or are properly introduced to each other slowly. Keep in mind that having a male/female pair will cause a population explosion. It is best to have same-sex hamster groups for the classroom unless you are specifically breeding the hamsters for a project.
Note: if you have a traditional classroom, make sure you obtain permission before purchasing and bringing your hamsters into the classroom.
Here are some curriculum ideas for homeschooling families or the traditional classroom:
1. Use hamsters and the different breeds of hamsters to research and understand why scientific names are so important in describing and labeling animals. For example, the Syrian hamster is also known as the golden hamster or the teddy bear hamster, but it can be referred to by his scientific name (Mesocricetus auratus) and there would not be any confusion as to which species is being named.
2. Use hamsters to learn about genetics, selective breeding, line breeding, etc. Make sure that before you begin the project, you have homes for all of the pups. Hamsters mature early, so do not put off finding a place for them to go - they will need new homes at around 5-7 weeks.
3. Use hamsters to learn about scent, pheromones, and other chemicals that are needed for communication between certain animals. Point out that just because we may not be able to smell the chemicals used, doesn't mean they are not present. Our senses are simply not attuned to the hormones of other species.
4. Study the social order of the hamsters in the group. See if the students can pick out which hamster is dominant and which one is the least dominant. Research and discuss how other species also use this hierarchy system in order to keep a group under control. Discuss how this type of behavior relates to humans, if at all.
Hamsters can add a lively part to any curriculum. Having students care for the pets can also teach things such as responsibility and compassion. If in a traditional classroom, you can have students take turns caring for the hamster (feeding, cleaning the cage, etc.) and also take the hamster home over long holidays (but only with the parent's permission - having parents sign a permission slip is the best method for this).