Snail project in 2a

This autumn, the students of 2a are hosting some special guests: 13 aquatic snails have moved into the aquarium in our very own Bio lab. Over the course of 4 weeks, 26 students are learning how to set up an aquarium, introduce the animals, feed them and take responsibility for them.

The first contact with the snails was a morning of getting to know each other, led by Nicole Prietl from UBZ (Umweltbildungszentrum Graz). She introduced the students to the three kinds of aquatic snails (Ramshorn snail, great pond snail and river snail) and answered all their questions about their appearance, their needs, their lifestyle etc. The next step was to fill the aquarium with water, plants and stones, which the students did themselves, practicing team work and coordination. Once the snails were in the water, they learned not to take them out again and the only thing allowed into the water was food twice a week.

2a have already become quite protective of “their” snails and have provided the bio lab with rules and warnings concerning the animals.

An observation they have already made is there are snail eggs in the aquarium. Snails hatch quickly, so if we are lucky, we should see some baby snails soon!

For the next few weeks, the students of 2a will document and take care of the snails and share their experience with other interested students. We look forward to seeing the results.

Laura Prinz