The Blackburn College Vivarium was invited to participate in the Mount Olive Family STEAM Night on April 30th. Blackburn Biology and Ecology professor Dr. Samantha Kahl brought four student workers from the college Vivarium to the event: Jessica Muckensturm, David Kane, Adalynn LaMarsh, and Emma Steibel. The students interacted with the community, educating elementary through junior high level students about reptile and amphibian husbandry, habitat, and ecology. Participants were able to pet and handle animals, while Blackburn student workers supervised and kept the animals safe and relaxed. Amy Moulton, a 2005 Blackburn graduate teaching at Mount Olive, helped to coordinate the educational visit.
Some of the animals featured were ball pythons Mordecai and Morticia, California kingsnakes Gary and Domino, Patronus, our Colombian red-tail boa, Alfalfa the Uromastyx, Chocolate Chip the Kenyan sand boa, and Ravioli the Tomato frog, among others. This is a great experience for the Vivarium Work Program student workers to talk to the public about our animals and teach people some of what they’ve learned in the Work Program at Blackburn. Highlights include seeing kids (and adults) overcome fears just stepping into the room, as well as witnessing the smiles on the kids’ faces when they hold a snake for the very first time. Working with the community is important to Blackburn and our traveling Vivarium showcases a unique opportunity for interaction and educational engagement with some of our youngest members of the surrounding community.