Kindergarteners Make a Splash With Squid Dissections

Lower School Science Teacher Ms. Elise de Geus loves watching her students engage with science. “Kindergartners are naturally curious,” she said. “They’re not afraid to take on challenges, and it’s amazing to see them push through the ‘gross’ to get to the science.”

During the dissection, students explored the squid’s body, counted its arms and tentacles, observed its ability to change color, and discovered its unique anatomy. They carefully cut into the squid to reveal its ink sac, gills, and “pen,” a structure that acts like a backbone. The best part? Using the squid’s ink to write their names! “It’s all about observation and stepping outside their comfort zone,” Ms. de Geus said. “The mess and the smell were all part of the learning, and they handled it like pros!”

Building on their exploration of marine life, the Kindergarteners recently took a field trip to the Denver Aquarium with their classroom teachers and Ms. de Geus, where they deepened their understanding of their aquatic friends. But the adventure doesn’t stop there! Their ocean exploration will continue in Spanish class, where they’ll dive into a unit on marine life called “Mar,” and in art class, where they’ll create a ceramic coral reef inspired by real coral specimens borrowed from Ms. de Geus.

Way to go, Kindergarten scientists!