Bailey Goodwin, sixth-grade student at Quakertown’s Sixth Grade Center, is taking her project to another level and demonstrating environmental stewardship by using her social media account to spread the word about the almost-extinct vaquita, which is a type of porpoise.
The project started at the end of the class’s animal unit in which students consider the relationships between humans and animals through two poems. Throughout the unit, students examine the connections humans form with animals and the similarities between them. This project challenges students to consider the impact human actions may have on animals and to act on one specific issue.
When asked why this was important to Bailey, she replied, “These creatures are very important to the Gulf of California. There are only about ten vaquita left in the world, and extinction can cause overpopulation of small fish, squid, and crustaceans. They are extremely endangered.”
“My main goal as a teacher is to help prepare students to be active citizens,” said Carolyn Althauser, teacher at the Sixth Grade Center. “I am always looking for ways to help them connect their learning to the real world and think critically about questions and issues. This project takes that effort an important step further and challenges them to think of one way they can not only think about an issue but take a small action to work toward change.”
Now, Bailey is actively raising awareness on her TikTok account @vaquita_lives.mat. Follow Bailey and show her your support!