frogs in class

classroom activities

The Fischer Lab visits local schools in various exciting contexts!

one-time visits

For one-time visits to the classroom, we bring our froggy friends, give a short presentation, and facilitate a frog-related activity. These activities can be supplemented with our teacher resources.

multiple visits

We also love developing longer-term relationships with local schools! We are currently developing a year-long program in which a classroom or other group can adopt a Fischer Lab tadpole and observe its development throughout the school year. Fischer Lab scientists will visit multiple times during the year to give life-stage-inspired lessons supported by hands-on activities. Stay tuned for more information!

STEAM Train

STEAM Train is a collaboration between the Institute for Genomic Biology, UIUC graduate students, University High School students, and Franklin Steam Academy. Graduate and high school students work with middle school students to conduct an interest-driven research project for presentation at the end of the school year. During the 2021-2022 school year, the Fischer Lab worked with students to compare boldness between three species of poison frogs with varying levels of natural toxicity. Students involved learned how to design and execute an experiment, how to analyze video data, what it means to be a scientist, and lots of random frog facts!

If you are interested in learning more about the frogs in class programs, please contact us!