Page 387 - Cultural Studies of Science Education
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362 C.D. Stonebanks
agreement, with his “been there, done that” smile. So, with all of this precursor
information expressed, I explained to Joe why I had an ice box full of “benign live
animals.”
After class discussions on the readings of Apple and Kincheloe have been
completed for about a month’s time, the course reading take us to the next
subject-specific discussion in science education. I assign a reading on animal
behavior observation, and for example, how the large milkweed bug responds to
stimuli of light. It is a good lesson idea, but if carried out superficially, does fall
into the category of students making observations that will already be predeter-
mined by the teacher. Often, students come to class hoping that we will carry out
the experiment, giving them another valuable tool to add to their teaching tool-
box, and when they see me enter the class with my ice box, their enthusiasm
matches any elementary classroom in which I have ever taught in. Quickly, I tell
the students that they are in for a treat, because I read about a really interesting
scientific study being carried out at a major University in Alabama, USA, by the
“Distinguished Professor of Caveat Emptor, Dr. Robert Murray,” from the
“Department of Micro & Marine Biology,” regarding the amazing use of “water
lice.” Enthusiastically, I wave a letter from Dr. Murray, making sure students see
that it is postmarked. I have a student read it aloud:
Dear Dr. Stonebanks,
Thank you very much for your interest in our work in developing natural methods
in water cleansing. The University of St Barbara’s Department of Micro & Marine
Biology is committed to organic ways in solving some of the greatest problems in
water pollution and we think that our “Water Lice” project will do just that.
As I am sure you are aware from your own initial research in this work, the Water
Lice is a completely misunderstood insect that has tremendous benefits for the envi-
ronment. Because they have the name “lice” attached to it, people think this insect
feeds off of blood, rather, it feeds off of impurities in impure water. We at the lab
think they should be called “Water Cleaners”! Our project has done so well we have
used the Water Lice to clean many of the stagnant and unsafe waters in the residential
areas of New Orleans after the tragic events of Hurricane Katrina (they even filmed
our efforts in an upcoming edition of Discovery Channel’s Dirty Jobs).
We will send you (by Fed Ex) three jars of contaminated water at three different
stages. By the time you receive the package your class at Bishop’s University
should see the following:
Jar #1: Adult hatched Water Lice actively cleaning contaminated sewer water; water
is unsafe to drink.
Jar #2: Fully mature Water Lice approximately three days into their cleaning process;
the water should be mostly clean.
Jar #3: Approximately seven days into their life cycle the adults are gorged and die
naturally and have laid microscopic eggs at the bottom of the jar; the water
is now safe to drink and the water lice are edible to all animals (even for
humans if you want to try!).