Suffolk Reporter

Fifth-grade students at Moriches Elementary School had the opportunity to learn about Gila monsters through a virtual session with Dr. Kevin Bonine, a professor and director at the Arizona Institute for Resilience, University of Arizona. Known for his research on these venomous lizards native to the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, Dr. Bonine engaged with the students via Zoom.

The students in Ms. Briana Ferguson's class had read "Tracking Monsters," authored by Dr. Bonine, as part of their curriculum. The book explores scientific studies on Gila monsters in their natural habitat, the Sonoran Desert. This reading sparked interest among the students, leading to an invitation extended to Dr. Bonine by Ms. Ferguson.

Ahead of the virtual meeting, students prepared letters sharing insights from their reading and posed questions for Dr. Bonine. During the Zoom call, he provided an informative presentation on his work with Gila monsters and addressed all student inquiries.

Dr. Bonine's interaction offered a practical learning experience that captivated and engaged the students.