The Department of Early Childhood and Elementary Education has a thrilling insider peek into the captivating world of herpetology and conservation, courtesy of David Wojnowski, clinical assistant professor in science education. He’s currently on an audacious project in Suriname, South America with colleagues from Living Zoology where the excursion is not for the faint-hearted.
Wojnowski, armed with his expertise and passion for wildlife (snakes, in particular), is out in the field, surrounded by the dense foliage of a tropical paradise and casually handling venomous creatures such as the Northern Ribbon Coral Snake (Micrurus lemniscatus) and the formidable Bushmaster, one of the largest pit vipers on the planet.
But there’s more to this work than adrenaline-pumping encounters with serpentine predators. He and a team of filmmakers and scientists are on a mission to document and raise awareness about these sleek reptiles and so far, they’ve identified and filmed 21 species.
A typical day in Wojnowski’s boots is as intense as it gets: from 8 p.m. until 2 a.m., the search for snakes is on. Once found, they film until the wee hours of 6 a.m. They get a brief nap until 8 a.m. before venturing out in the early morning light. From there, they have an early brunch, nap until 5 p.m., and eat dinner around 6 p.m. before heading out for another round of “herping” (looking for reptiles or amphibians, but this time the focus is on snakes) at 8 p.m.
They also visit several locations and while on a bus trip to their last location, Wojnowski writes about how this experience influences his classes at Georgia State.
“The work I conduct with Living Zoology, particularly during this trip to Suriname, serves as valuable material for my science methods course and the integrated science classes I lead,” he said. “This experience offers students a unique perspective on environmental education research as seen through the lens of their professor.”
The film footage they gather is a crucial tool for snake conservation education. After the exhausting but exhilarating fieldwork, Wojnowski explains that Matej Dolinay, co-founder of the Living Zoology film studio (along with his wife Zuzana) and the team’s resident expert from the Czech Republic, works his wizardry on the footage. He crafts short and long videos and adds in the needed text. Wojnowski receives the draft and edits for English.
According to Wojnowski, the finished products take anywhere from a few weeks to several months to complete before posting to the Living Zoology website and YouTube. The title of the larger piece is, obviously, “The Snakes of Suriname.”
“Employing an interdisciplinary approach to science instruction, I leverage the snake documentaries resulting from these expeditions to illustrate the production process of conservation education videos,” he wrote.
“Through the integration of technology, taxonomy and ecology, students in our Early Childhood and Elementary Education B.S.E. program gain insight into the intricate role of snakes within the ecosystem and develop a deeper appreciation for their significance,” said Wojnowski. “I also integrate language arts such as writing and editing the script, as well as geography and Earth sciences. And I cover topics such as snake venom types (toxicology) and the physiological impacts of diverse snake venoms (toxinology) in my teachings.”
“Dr. Wojnowski’s enthusiasm for his amphibian and reptile research and service is inspiring. As co-instructor of a student teaching course with him, I value how his commitment to snake conservation and education brings a global perspective on education and non-traditional learning environments to our students,” said Rebecca Clough, clinical assistant professor in early childhood and elementary education.
Wojnowski’s courageous undertaking is a testament to the college’s commitment to research, education and environmental stewardship.
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