Experiential Learning

Bloomfield First-graders Learn About Bats

By Andrea McCann, staff writer
Bloomfield Evening World
Jared Helms, a 2002 Bloomfield High School graduate, gave new meaning to "batman" for 90-plus first-graders at his alma mater.

Helms is studying life sciences at Indiana State University and does undergraduate research on bats. He spoke to the first-graders Thursday morning about bats in general and about his job. His presentation was the culmination of a month long bat project for the children.

"I do research to help bats," Helms told the kids. "The Indiana bat is the most endangered bat in the United States now. We're trying to keep it from going extinct."

More than one student knew exactly what he was talking about. "Like dinosaurs," one of them interpreted for the benefit of his classmates amassed in the media center.

Helms agreed. He explained that the Indiana bat is very particular about where it makes its home. He said it prefers a dead tree along the edge of a field.

"The Indiana bat only lives in hollow, dead trees," he said. "That's why it's becoming endangered. It's having trouble finding a place to stay."

When Helms asked the class if they know why it's important to protect bats, they impressed him with their knowledge. They knew it's because bats eat bugs and pollinate plants.

"Bats are good at pest control," Helms said. "Some can eat their entire weight in bugs in one night."

He said he works with all kinds of bats. In his research work, he sets up nets to catch bats so they can be identified by type and sex, weighed, and tagged with a radio transmitter if it's an Indiana bat. The transmitter allows the research crew to follow the bat's flight range and learn about its habits, such as where it goes and what it eats.

"The more we know, the more we can protect them," he said.

Helms said his favorite bat is the red bat, because he likes its fur, which looks just like a red-haired person's. He said the red bat lives in trees, hanging from the limbs.

He showed the students stuffed examples of several bats, including some not from Indiana. One of those was the infamous vampire bat. Contrary to popular myth, he said, it doesn't attack humans and suck their blood. Helms said the bat, which lives in Texas and New Mexico, much prefers cow blood. He said its sharp teeth make slits in the animal's skin; chemicals in its saliva numb the skin so the victim doesn't feel anything. Another chemical in the saliva keeps the blood from clotting, and the bat laps up blood that oozes from the wound.

Helms also showed the first-graders a live brown bat, the most common bat in Indiana. The bat was less than happy about being paraded around a roomful of jabbering kids in broad daylight and let the youngsters know about it with a constant chirping noise. Helms said that particular sound is defensive and that echolocation noises by bats can't even be heard by humans.

The first-graders already knew that echolocation is the use of high-frequency sounds sent out through the bats' noses to bounce off objects so the animals can tell by the reflected sounds how far away something is. The kids also were aware that bats are nocturnal, and their classroom show-and-tell bat probably wanted to go back to bed.

"Don't try this at home," Helms cautioned the students as he walked around the room holding the live bat out by its wings so each child could get a good look.

While it's a common misconception that all bats carry rabies, he said, some do. He added that, like any wild animal, bats can also carry other diseases. He told the students that if they're bitten by a bat, they'll have to have a series of shots. Helms said he had to have the shots to protect himself before he started his job. And it's a good thing. He said he's been bitten. The bat expert said bats generally try to avoid people, but sometimes they accidentally come in contact with humans.

The first-graders gave "Mr. Helms" thumbs-up and pat-on-the-back signs to let him know they liked his presentation. He returned the compliment, saying they were a great audience.

"I was pleased with their level of knowledge," he said. "A lot of adults don't know the things they knew. A lot of adults fear bats."

First-grade teacher Suellen Barker said the first-grade classes studied bats throughout October because it was a fun way to work science into the Halloween holiday theme.

Barker set up the presentation with Helms, whose mom works at the school. The life sciences major said he's always been interested in animals and plans to earn master's and doctoral degrees when he completes his bachelor's degree. He'd ultimately like to teach at the college level and do bat or venomous snake research. His current bat research at ISU is in cooperation with Indianapolis International Airport, where he helps with a long-term study monitoring a resident bat colony and its response to urban development.

Reprinted with permission from the "Bloomfield Evening World"