Learning Reptile Science with Cheeto

The goal of this project is to deepen students’ understanding of reptile biology, adaptations, and environmental needs through ongoing observation and supervised care of Cheeto, our classroom bearded dragon. Students in grades 6–8 at Seacrest Country Day School will investigate how habitat conditions, thermoregulation, and nutrition support a living animal’s needs. Building on a student-developed needs assessment, this project connects classroom science to meaningful experiences with observation, measurement, and responsible care. Students will practice asking scientific questions, maintaining accurate records, and supporting explanations with evidence while strengthening collaboration and responsibility.

Students will investigate Cheeto’s habitat, identifying the basking area, cooler zone, shaded retreat, and sources of heat and UVB light. They will create labeled habitat diagrams and explain how these features support a bearded dragon’s needs, including its ability to regulate body temperature by moving between different areas. Students will rotate through observation, measurement, recording, and supervised care roles. Using temperature probes and an infrared thermometer, they will collect measurements from different habitat locations and record the time, location, and units. They will organize their findings into graphs, observe patterns in Cheeto’s location and activity, and distinguish direct observations from inferences. Nutrition lessons will connect Cheeto’s omnivorous diet to appropriate greens, feeder insects, and supplements. Students will compare food categories, document approved feeding observations, and explain why nutrition, fresh water, and habitat cleanliness matter. Feeding quantities and supplement schedules will follow Cheeto’s established care plan. I will model scientific recordkeeping and guide students in using their observations to support explanations. All investigations will occur within appropriate care conditions, without disrupting Cheeto’s environment to test predictions. Students can participate through observation, measurement, and documentation without handling the animal. All care will remain under adult supervision.

This project will provide 72 middle school students with repeated opportunities to connect science concepts to observable biological needs and behaviors. Students will strengthen their ability to collect accurate data, identify patterns, ask questions, and explain relationships between an animal and its environment. An initial concept check and habitat diagram will establish baseline understanding. After eight to ten weeks, the target is for at least 80 percent of students to accurately explain three relationships between Cheeto’s needs and habitat features, including how warm and cool areas support thermoregulation. Students will demonstrate scientific learning through observation logs, labeled graphs, and an evidence-based explanation connecting their findings to a reptile adaptation or environmental requirement. Teacher observations and student reflections will document growth in accurate recordkeeping, responsible participation, and collaboration. Comparing initial and final work will make changes in understanding visible.

I am requesting $1,869 to support a full year of care and observation-based science learning centered on Cheeto, our classroom bearded dragon, benefiting 72 students in grades 6–8. The budget includes $624 for feeder insects and $260 for fresh greens and vegetables, calculated over 52 weeks. An additional $40 will provide feeder-insect food and a ventilated holding container. Supplements and cleaning supplies total $150, while habitat equipment, care tools, and temperature-measurement equipment total $795. A 120-gallon enclosure, basking platform, and shaded hide will provide distinct habitat areas for students to observe. UVB lighting, a replacement lamp, a basking heat fixture, a compatible thermostat, and a lighting timer will support the environmental conditions students are learning to explain. Temperature probes and an infrared thermometer will allow students to collect and compare measurements. Bowls, feeding tongs, paper towels, and habitat-cleaning supplies will support supervised care routines. Annual food allowances will support continuity of care, including school breaks, with purchases adjusted to actual use and Cheeto’s established care plan. Durable equipment will support future science classes. Existing classroom materials will be used for logs and graphs, and an adult will remain responsible for care outside instructional hours. Veterinary services are not included.

1869

120 gallon enclosure

365

feeding supplies: food and water bowls, feeding tongs

35

crickets: $12/week x 52

624

Linear T5 HO UVB fixture and compatible lamp

110

Stable basking platform and shaded hide

45

Reptile calcium and multivitamin supplements

40

Plain paper towels for cleaning and replaceable enclosure lining

60

Reptile habitat disinfectant and dedicated cleaning tools

50

Digital lighting timer

25

leafy greens and vegetables: $5 week x 52

260

Basking heat fixture with compatible bulb and spare

70

Dimming thermostat compatible with heat source

40

Digital temperature probes for warm and cool zones

25

Infrared surface thermometer

35

Compatible replacement linear UVB lamp

45

Feeder-insect gut-loading food and ventilated holding container

40