Mammal Skins and Skulls Training

Schedule:  

• 9:30 am:  Safe handling of Skins and Skulls equipment:  to be attended by any volunteer who wishes to use the equipment.
• 10:45 am:  Using the Skins & Skulls to teach about Mammals: to be attended by volunteers who wish to use the equipment at the schoos, Naturology, etc.
• 12:30:  Adjourn

Location:  Hagerman Multipurpose Room

This Advanced Training Session will be divided into two components.  The first portion (60 – 75 minutes) will cover the proper handling and storage of the skulls and skins of mammals for both indirect and direct service opportunities. This introductory component also will provide basic information about the selected mammal skulls and skins to be used for indirect service opportunities (e.g., booths at Farmers Market, festivals, fairs).

 After a 15-minute break, a second session (75 – 90 minutes) will focus on using the collection for direct service opportunities (e.g., directed learning activities for schools, Nature ‘Ology, Refuge Rocks).  Participants will learn more about skull anatomy, different types of teeth, using a key to identify an unknown skull, and complete a directed learning activity using the skulls.  Participants also will learn more about the structure and function of the hair of mammals and complete a directed learning activity using the skins. 

 All Bluestem members that want to use the collection will need to attend the first session so that we can be good stewards of this valuable collection.  Everyone is welcome to attend the second session but only those wanting to have a more in-depth understanding and plan to use the collection for directed activities will need to attend the second session. If you want to use the collection but are unable to attend on 3 June 2023, additional opportunities will be made available to members in the future.  

 The skulls and skins were purchased with funds from the Simmons First Foundation Grant awarded to the Bluestem Chapter. The Advanced Training of Bluestem Chapter members and the subsequent use of the skulls and skins for both indirect and direct service opportunities listed above will help fulfill the outcomes identified in the grant application and will strengthen future grant applications.