McKibben Elementary 5th graders had a visit from the Mosquito S.W.A.T. Lab at their school on Wednesday, April 17, to study the ecology and anatomy of mosquitos, and the positive actions they can take to protect themselves and others from mosquito born viruses.
S.W.A.T. stands for Standing Water Action Team and their goal is to, “seek to educate and foster student interest in the pursuit of future scientific careers in the fields of entomology, biology, and public health.”
The mobile lab is a 35 foot RV converted into a VecMobile science lab. The educational experience addresses public health, environmental sustainability, and vector control all while meeting science standard goals.
The lab has hands-on, fun, and educational activities that promote student comprehension and learning. It features microscopes, interactive touch screens and applications and a 3D bug show.
Students were broken up into two groups. One group was taken onto the VecMobile Science Lab. They received a lesson with the interactive touch screen about the anatomy of mosquitos. They were then able to look at real mosquitos under the microscope. They then put on 3D glasses and watched a 3D show all about mosquitos and bugs.
The other group was broken up into subgroups in the classroom and did an “escape room” that included multiple clues they needed to solve. Each group had three boxes and had to use problem solving and scientific reasoning skills to solve each riddle within each box in order to save the community from the evil scientist that was going to release infected mosquitoes.
Every student was able to visit the VecMobile Science Lab and participate in the escape room challenge.
The Mosquito S.W.A.T. Lab is supported by the Los Angeles County Vector Control District and is available free of cost to elementary schools within the district.
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