Hello fellow, erhm, hedgehog-ers!

I'm currently a Senior in High School. One of the clubs we have at the school is called the Mad Scientists, and I am currently head of the Zoological Team. Right now, we have a hedgehog, Darwin, who we take to schools to educate schoolchildren, and we all do this as a service to the community, free of charge.

Our website is here:

http://web.me.com/seaworldfan2010/JCP_Mad_Scientists__Zoological_Team/Home.html


Anyways, I have done several presentations already with Darwin, and was wondering if anyone had any cool sources of information that I could use to brighten up the presentation. As listed on the website, one of the biological purpose of the Mad Scientists' Biological Division is to educate on biology (duh), ecology, and animal behavior.

Also, later this month, Darwin and I are traveling with members of my school's Dog Therapy group (which I am also a member of) to educate inner-city children about proper pet care.

Thank you for your help,
Chase

Awesome, Chase! Love to hear that you are working to educate kids. I assume that you have checked out our articles section, there is lots of info there.
Becca

Thanks! I have checked the article section, but I'm looking more for information on wild hedgehogs and less on hedgehogs in the care of man.

Has anyone else presented hedgehogs for educational purposes? If so, what have audiences been most receptive to?

I have done educational exhibits with the hedgehogs on numerous occasions. I have done elementary school classrooms, junior high classes, high school science classes, and all age displays at pet expos. "Is that a porcupine?" is probably one of the major questions. People also question what they eat, how big they get, etc. Many people are so fascinated/disturbed by the critter themselves, that they don't seem to hear a single word of what you are telling them. (aka, "Please don't take their tube away, they aren't stuck, I said please don't take their tube away, Don't take their tube away, LEAVE THE TUBE ALONE". But you always have a few that are very curious to learn about all aspects of that which is hedgehog.
Becca

Just to let ya'll know, the presentations went great! I was worried the back-to-back days of travel would be stressful on Darwin, but besides one little bout of car sickness, he was awesome!

I even made a coloring page for the kids:

Darwin's Coloring Page

Thanks for your help,
Chase

Glad to hear that things went good! Congrats on all your hard work!
Becca

Fabulous! Glad things went well - it's always a blast to share.