ISTCI Middle School students and staff were enthralled with two guests that visited our classes this October.  Arachnologist, Dr. Cangialosi from Keene State University and her colleague, Dr. Strong, a DNA specialist, visited our group with presentations that kept them spellbound.

Dr. Cangialosi discussed the various spiders found around the world and what they do for the ecosystems they live in.  With video footage showing the mating rituals, web weaving and the weird and wonderful variations of individual species the Year 7s had many questions for her.

Dr. Strong spent the morning with our Grade 8 and 9 students, bringing with him the equipment necessary for each student to isolate a strand of their very own DNA.  It was a fascinating discussion and activity, with a few of the students wishing to hide their DNA in the back of their freezer at home - just in case!  🙂

We thank them for their time and commitment to spending time with our youth while doing Reef Check work each Fall.