Mrs. Rosander's Fifth-Graders Raise Money and 'Adopt-a-Species'

Patch Whiz Kid of the Week: Mrs. Debra Rosander's fifth-grade science students

• Ages: 10 and 11
• School: Ocean City Intermediate School
• Accomplishment: Students worked to earn money to adopt a piping plover and support other worthy causes.

We knew we had some "Whiz Kids" on our hands when we heard how 44 students in Debra Rosander's fifth-grade science class at Ocean City Intermediate School did chores for their parents and other adults—including babysitting younger siblings and cousins, taking out the trash and emptying the dishwasher—to earn money.

Some even gave up snacks in the cafeteria and pitched the money they saved in the pot.

The students donated their earnings/savings to adopt a piping plover from the Adopt-a-Species Program from the Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey, Mrs. Rosander said. Some money also went to Make-A-Wish and to the Marine Mammal Stranding Center.

Because of their donation, the students got a visit from Larissa Smith, a biologist in charge of the Bald Eagle Project, who talked about the ways that kids like them could start helping the environment. The children learned the importance of cleaning up after themselves on the beach and not walking in areas protected for endangered species.

The kids got to touch cool stuff, like fake eagle eggs and real muskrat bones.

"That's the part of the course they'll remember," Rosander said. "They are really eager to help others, even if they don't have a lot at home."

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is why they are our Whiz Kids.

Know a Whiz Kid—someone who lives in Ocean City or attends school there and has done something awesome, either in school or outside? Email information about your nominees to Ocean City Patch editor Doug Bergen at douglas.bergen@patch.com.