Motivation Education

Impossible Existence

     ECRC is proud to offer a compelling action pack in cooperation with the Institute for Connecting Research to the K-12 Classroom of Virginia Tech University. Drawing upon some of the most current research for facts and findings, this action pack truly challenges participants' imagination as we examine the very tiny world of extremophiles and the very large world of dinosaurs. Each participant becomes a hunter of the unknown while working with giant dinosaur puzzles, aquatic ancestors including the mysterious coelacanth fish, and microscopic creatures living in the most unlikely environments. Some of the creatures eat rock, each other and lure lunch with a light that the creature itself makes. Each has an Impossible Existence.

     The development of Impossible Existence continues as the general Action Pack is being followed by a specific Action Pack targeting the exciting new worlds of extremophiles. Those bacteria that live in hostile environments hold great promise not only for researchers working to overcome medical mysteries, but also to anxious scientists believing life will be found in outer space. For educators, extremophiles offer the opportunity to take learners on deep submersible trips to the bottom of the sea, to volcanoes or to the hot springs of Yellowstone National Park, the USA. Oil recovery, antibiotics, detergents and health foods are all on the planning board for future Motivator Maps highlighting the great current potential of microbial and genetic resources. Impossible Existence Motivator Maps will work to keep your science up to date.

Motivator Maps:

• Dinosaur Dig
• Essentially Extremophiles
• Exploring Haloclines
• Light for Lunch
• Volcano Matrix
• Aquatic Ancestors