Say hello to one of the new animals in our iLab, a male Madagascar Hissing Cockroach!
We have several cockroaches in a habitat in the iLab, as well as a traveling habitat that can visit the classrooms. These intriguing insects do not bite, can grow to be 3-5 inches, and get their name from the hissing noise they make when they are startled. Mrs. McGee’s kindergarteners have already hosted our cockroaches and share these entries from their science notebooks.
Our hermit crabs are named Edison and Einstein, after two famous scientists … does anyone have an idea for other scientists we could “honor” by borrowing their names for our cockroaches? We are sure that we have 2 male and 1 female cockroaches right now, so let’s look for 2 male and 1 female scientists.
Please comment and tell us your idea for a name for our cockroaches. Be sure to share a little about the scientist whose name you have chosen. In two weeks, we’ll choose a name from the suggestions that are posted. A great place to look for ideas is the science section of BrainPop. Remember that you can reach BrainPop through the Students tab on the BCPS website. Ask your teacher for the home passwords, if needed.
We thank the Ward family for arranging for us to adopt our cockroaches from the Oregon Ridge Nature Center!
Recently, a Maryland high school student, named Jack Andraka, invented a test that detects cancer with 90% accuracy. He is only in 9th grade, which means he is only 15 years old. His invention is more accurate than any other test, and it costs less than any other test. Jack is a great example of what students can do as they research to solve problems. I’d like to name the cockroach either Jack or Andraka in honor of a young scientist.
What do you think?
Madame Marie Curie was always a favorite of mine…..Curie the Cockroach? Madame Curie the Cockroach?
I love the alliteration with Curie and cockroach!
Today we welcomed the Madagascar cockroaches to our class. There were squeals and giggles as we held them for the first time! You may thing that cockroaches as a pet are gross, but here are some comments from the class:
Lizzy: It was awesome! When it was on your hand it stuck to you!
Sarah S.: It was on Sam B’s pants and did not want to go off! Why was it comfy there?
Edson: They are awesome!
Max: Sarah E. screamed when she held it! It was so funny!
Sarah E.: Do all cockroaches have sticky things on their feet like the Madagascar cockroaches?
Mia: It was so adorable!
Ralph: Why is the cockroach feel smooth on the outer part?
Jeremy: Are cockroaches related to pill bugs?
Salma: I think the females look like frogs.
Sam Z. : The legs were sticky!
We have a week to investigate and explore our new friends…stay tuned for what we learn!
The class thinks we should name them: Galileo and Bill Nye