Central First Graders Find Batty Solution To Mosquito Problem

A first grade class at Central Elementary has turned a lesson on bats into a possible solution for a pesky problem. At the beginning of the school year, the mosquito problem across Arkansas was extremely bad. Many of our students had to stay inside for recess, including Mrs. Liz Savage's first grade class. In fact, they couldn't go outside to play for recess for over a week.

At that time, students were learning about bats. During their research, they discovered bats eat about 1,000 mosquitos an hour! They immediately realized they could possibly help solve the playground problem if they had bat houses.

Students figured out how much money they needed to buy two bat houses. To raise money, they asked their principal, Mrs. Bethany Hill, if they could use the 3D printers to print backpack tags or “bat tags” and sell them in the bookstore for $1.00 each to raise money to purchase supplies.

Ms. Savage then contacted Sgt. Terry Ball at the Cabot Freshman Academy to see if his shop students would be willing to help her class. They were excited to be part of the project and even volunteered to make the two bat houses for Mrs. Savage's class for free. Mrs. Savage and Mrs. Falcinelli even had the opportunity to put in the finishing nails! Each bat house holds 24 bats. Right now one is hanging in a tree behind Central Elementary. The other bat house will go up soon.

As for the money students raised selling the “bat tags,” that money will help fund school and community improvement projects.

Congratulations to Mrs. Savage's first grade class for turning a classroom lesson into a real solution that will hopefully keep students itch free this summer!