Using animal skulls, tracks and pelts, teachers can help students with structure, function and adaptations, Post fifth-grade science teacher Crystal Osborn told fellow educators at the recent 2020 Panhandle STEM Conference.
The Panhandle STEM Conference, held June 30-July 1, is an annual teachers conference held for Region 16 (Amarillo area) and Region 17 (Lubbock area) teachers. The conference is focused on science and math educators.
This year, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, teachers attended virtually through the Zoom platform. Osborn presented to K-12th grade math and science educators from both regions.
In her first segment, “It’s All in How You Play the Game,” Osborn taught educators hands-on and heads-on techniques to implement typical board games in their classrooms to increase academic vocabulary and skills.
In “Detectives of Change: Adaptations,” Osborn presented ideas on how to use animal tracks to teach structure and more.
“I shared ideas and activities with teachers on how to use animal skulls, tracks and pelts that are native to Texas to teach structures, function and adaptations with a hands-on approach for students,” Osborn said.
Osborn, a Lubbock Christian University graduate with a bachelor of science in animal science, worked in animal research for four years at Texas Tech University before earning her teaching certificate to teach fourth through eighth graders.
Prior to teaching at Post Elementary, Osborn taught at the Garza County Detention Center. She will be going into her eighth year at Post Elementary in the fall of 2020.
