Learning about snakes

Fourth grade students at Mason County Central look at a snake presented by Julia Chambers of AFFEW.

Learning about snakes

West Shore School News is a presentation of West Shore Educational Service District in partnership with Mason County Press and Oceana County Press. 

Students at Ludington Elementary School hold a snake.

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief

Fourth grade students in Mason County had an opportunity to learn about Michigan snakes last week. Jim McGrath is a naturalist based in Williamston and travels the state teaching people about reptiles. He was brought to Mason County through funding by A Few Friends of the Environment of the World (AFFEW). With the assistance of MiSTEM Region 9 Director Brian Dotson, McGrath’s program was brought to every fourth grade class in Mason County, including Ludington Elementary School, Mason County Central Upper Elementary School, Mason County Easter Elementary, Ludington Area Catholic School and Covenant Christian School. 

McGrath said he became passionate about teaching people about reptiles when he was a kid. His lesson included teaching the children about the 17 species of snakes in Michigan and also clearing up misconceptions of the snakes. 

The children were each given an opportunity to hold several of the varieties of snakes. 

Julia Chambers of AFFEW shows MCC students a snake.

Jim McGrath talks about snakes at LES.

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