A Tale of Two Rats at the Edgerton Branch

February 10, 2011

We have two little visitors staying here with us for the next month or so. Healthy Herman and Junkfood Jimmy are two little white rats that are helping the Discovery Club kids learn about nutrition. Herman will eat healthy food for the next few weeks, and Jimmy will eat junk food. At the end of the experiment, we will see how each rat has changed in appearance and behavior due to their diet.

We are basing our experiment on the book, A Tale of Two Rats, by local Edgerton, MO author, Debby Henry (Kerr). She based her book on her experience in her sixth grade class. Her teacher, Mrs. Reineke, had her class do this experiment to learn about the importance of nutrition and is the inspiration for the teacher in the book.

The Discovery Club kids are bringing in food for each rat. Today, Junkfood Jimmy enjoyed a blueberry Pop-Tart and a chocolate cupcake. Tomorrow, he’s going to get some root beer! Rats can’t burp, so the soda has to be flat. Healthy Herman got some whole grain chips and a carrot. He’s going to get some whole milk to go along with his water.

We are logging our observations on our Rat Record Sheets. The Control Rat is Healthy Herman, and our Test Rat is Junkfood Jimmy. We are logging their behavior, eating habits, skin, tail, eyes, fur, weight, and tail length for the next six weeks. 

Next week in Discovery Club, after updating our Rat Record Sheets, we will be making healthy snacks for ourselves. Maybe, we will share with Healthy Herman…or maybe not...

Come to the Edgerton Branch, and visit Healthy Herman and Junkfood Jimmy! They would be happy to see you (and any snacks you might happen to have)!

Jordan P.
Edgerton Branch