Hi Everyone,
I was trying to send you some pics and a small movie I made but I'm not having success.
I'll try again, in the meantime here is your next assignment.
1. Everyone find an organism (plant or animal) that I MIGHT see when I visit La Selva Biological Station and Monte Verde (basically 2 of the preserved forest areas). You can work alone or in groups of 2 or 3. Put picture on blog and write a small amount about the organism. You do not have to write a lot. Just something informative. Please check other blogs. Once something is done you have to find something else.
2. Research how biogas is done and let me know. I think I'm going to visit a farm that does this.
3. Research small sustainable businesses that are being done in tropical countries (for example, taking leftover but still usable pineable, and creating something marketable out of it as the one young man did). This is a hard one. Lots of kudos and points. You can make it short.
Will try to write more tomorrow.
Mrs. K
Friday, February 29, 2008
Awesome Questions
Awesome questions for students. Kudos and Points to students who have contributed. I have so much to tell you but not a lot of time.
1. Earth University is a private 4 year University with 500 students from 24 countries. Professors are from 20 countries.
2. It is a massive place - very awesome; built 20 years ago with private funds (there is an endowment to help pay tuition in the U.S.)
3. Professors spend lots of time going to small commuties in tropical Central and South American and African countries. They recruit bright young people that may not have chance to go to a University.
4. Their goal is to teach them sustainable values and create leaders. It is truly amazing. I don't have time to write all about it here. The overall goal is for students to return to their communities and help them create small sustainable entrepeneur type companies.
5. For example one young man had discovered how much waste their was in the pineapple industry here (C.R. is the #1 country to export pineapple). But it is only the "best" that can be shipped fresh. He showed his community how they could take still good (but not best) pineapple, dry it (dried fruit which is popular) and dip it in chocolate. So far 4 small businesses have sprung up that do this.
6. The University students do NOT work. They are very serious about their studies and feel COMPLETELY honored that they would be here. Most are on full scholarship because they come from lower income communities.
Well I could go on and on but now for the primary and secondary schools. For reasons that are too hard to explain please public education has deteriorated somewhat here in C.R. But there are lots of dedicated teachers and students working in not so perfect conditions.
Here are some answers to your questions; thanks for sending them in Spanish!!!
1. They like soda - especially pepsi.
2. There is mandatory dress code for all Costa Rican students - dark blue pants and light blue shirts. Students in their last year (grade 11) wear brown pants and beige shirt.
3. They like to "hang out" at the "river" during their time out (makes sense you guys like to hang at beach):):):):).
4. They dont work (there are probably few places for them to work) and they consider school their main job.
5. They like to spend any money they have on jewelry. They are very stylish even though they have to wear a uniform (I'll bring back pics).
6. Out of 200 students I saw 3 with ipods. Only 1 with a cell phone.
7. To give you an idea of this school; their library had 2 rows of books; they did have an internet lab; and I will make arrangements for us to correspond to them.
8. Education is compulary only to grade 9 (but C.R. does have an incredible literacy rate of 96%).
9. I met 3 students who were in grade 10 and wanted to go onto University; two interested in tourist industry; and one in chemistry.
10. There are NO labs in the science area. They were studying density. STudents can join a science club where they have the money to do the experiments.
Have so much to share with you. Keep your fingers crossed I won't crash and burn on the zip line!
Assignment is in next blog.
Mrs. K
1. Earth University is a private 4 year University with 500 students from 24 countries. Professors are from 20 countries.
2. It is a massive place - very awesome; built 20 years ago with private funds (there is an endowment to help pay tuition in the U.S.)
3. Professors spend lots of time going to small commuties in tropical Central and South American and African countries. They recruit bright young people that may not have chance to go to a University.
4. Their goal is to teach them sustainable values and create leaders. It is truly amazing. I don't have time to write all about it here. The overall goal is for students to return to their communities and help them create small sustainable entrepeneur type companies.
5. For example one young man had discovered how much waste their was in the pineapple industry here (C.R. is the #1 country to export pineapple). But it is only the "best" that can be shipped fresh. He showed his community how they could take still good (but not best) pineapple, dry it (dried fruit which is popular) and dip it in chocolate. So far 4 small businesses have sprung up that do this.
6. The University students do NOT work. They are very serious about their studies and feel COMPLETELY honored that they would be here. Most are on full scholarship because they come from lower income communities.
Well I could go on and on but now for the primary and secondary schools. For reasons that are too hard to explain please public education has deteriorated somewhat here in C.R. But there are lots of dedicated teachers and students working in not so perfect conditions.
Here are some answers to your questions; thanks for sending them in Spanish!!!
1. They like soda - especially pepsi.
2. There is mandatory dress code for all Costa Rican students - dark blue pants and light blue shirts. Students in their last year (grade 11) wear brown pants and beige shirt.
3. They like to "hang out" at the "river" during their time out (makes sense you guys like to hang at beach):):):):).
4. They dont work (there are probably few places for them to work) and they consider school their main job.
5. They like to spend any money they have on jewelry. They are very stylish even though they have to wear a uniform (I'll bring back pics).
6. Out of 200 students I saw 3 with ipods. Only 1 with a cell phone.
7. To give you an idea of this school; their library had 2 rows of books; they did have an internet lab; and I will make arrangements for us to correspond to them.
8. Education is compulary only to grade 9 (but C.R. does have an incredible literacy rate of 96%).
9. I met 3 students who were in grade 10 and wanted to go onto University; two interested in tourist industry; and one in chemistry.
10. There are NO labs in the science area. They were studying density. STudents can join a science club where they have the money to do the experiments.
Have so much to share with you. Keep your fingers crossed I won't crash and burn on the zip line!
Assignment is in next blog.
Mrs. K
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
blog is now unblocked at school :):):)
Kudos to Richard, Dylan, and Devon for sending me questions to ask the students here in Costa Rica and researching my last questions.
Dylan and Devon you were right Dr. Leon is an advisor to the President of Costa Rica (more about that in assignments).
I have had a very interesting time in San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica. Toyota has supplied us with not only guides from the U.S. but also two Costa Ricans. One is Isabel Salas who has degrees in biology and is a naturalist. She explains all the ecology and biology to us. She knows everything!! The other is Julio Fernandez who has degrees in history. He tells us all about the history of Costa Rica, from the early people who were here to the present day. I am totally captivated by all they are telling us. Everywhere we go there are things to see and learn and the people here are awesome.
One of the most interesting things we did today was visit the American Embassy. I have never been to an Embassy. We learned about the foreign service and all the ways they help American citizens and the role they play in helping the diplomat process between the two countries.
But enough of that.....back to the science part.
1. I still need questions to ask the secondary students. ANYTHING you would want to know. They speak English and I will be able to converse with them.
2. I also need questions in espanol to ask the primary students. There are several spanish speaking people with us but it would be great for all of you spanish speaking students to think of some "simple" questions I could ask them.
3. And since you are all learning basic environmental science while I am gone here's another something you can research. Dr. Leon is an advisor to President Arias. The President outlined an initiative last year that he called the Paz con La Naturaleza (IPN) or "Peace with Nature." Google and tell me a FEW basic ideas surrounding this initiative. What is it about?
4. What does C-neutral or carbon-neutral mean?
5. P.S. I am giving points to those that contribute to blog :):):).
Ok, that's enough for today. Although I have a million things I could write you about :):):)Tomorrow we are traveling to the Earth University. I will check for responses tomorrow.
Thanks for keeping the frogs and echo fed.
Miss you!!!! Mrs. K
Dylan and Devon you were right Dr. Leon is an advisor to the President of Costa Rica (more about that in assignments).
I have had a very interesting time in San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica. Toyota has supplied us with not only guides from the U.S. but also two Costa Ricans. One is Isabel Salas who has degrees in biology and is a naturalist. She explains all the ecology and biology to us. She knows everything!! The other is Julio Fernandez who has degrees in history. He tells us all about the history of Costa Rica, from the early people who were here to the present day. I am totally captivated by all they are telling us. Everywhere we go there are things to see and learn and the people here are awesome.
One of the most interesting things we did today was visit the American Embassy. I have never been to an Embassy. We learned about the foreign service and all the ways they help American citizens and the role they play in helping the diplomat process between the two countries.
But enough of that.....back to the science part.
1. I still need questions to ask the secondary students. ANYTHING you would want to know. They speak English and I will be able to converse with them.
2. I also need questions in espanol to ask the primary students. There are several spanish speaking people with us but it would be great for all of you spanish speaking students to think of some "simple" questions I could ask them.
3. And since you are all learning basic environmental science while I am gone here's another something you can research. Dr. Leon is an advisor to President Arias. The President outlined an initiative last year that he called the Paz con La Naturaleza (IPN) or "Peace with Nature." Google and tell me a FEW basic ideas surrounding this initiative. What is it about?
4. What does C-neutral or carbon-neutral mean?
5. P.S. I am giving points to those that contribute to blog :):):).
Ok, that's enough for today. Although I have a million things I could write you about :):):)Tomorrow we are traveling to the Earth University. I will check for responses tomorrow.
Thanks for keeping the frogs and echo fed.
Miss you!!!! Mrs. K
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
I'm In Costa Rica
Hi everyone.
I have arrived in San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica.
To say the least it's pretty cool.
We will be meeting with a Dr. Pedro Leon later. He is going to talk to us about some of the research he does. I believe some of it is related to using DNA fingerprinting of a sample population of Costa Ricans do determine where their ancestors originally immigated from.
Anyway I have 2 assignments for you.
1. Google Dr. Pedro Leon and tell me something you learned about what he researches.
2. In the next few days we will be traveling to the Earth University. I'm going to be visiting a local high school and talking to students there. Send me questions that you would like me to ask them. Something you would be interested in knowing. It can be as simple as do you use cell phones? Or it can be something you want to know about their country or their plans. Anything.
I miss all of you. I'm taking lots of pictures and will try to attach some of them during my next login (fortuanately for me there are lots of computer literate people because you know I'm going to need help :):):):):).
Stay focused....and do all your assignments - especially you SENIORS!!!!! :):):):)
miss ya
mrs k
I have arrived in San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica.
To say the least it's pretty cool.
We will be meeting with a Dr. Pedro Leon later. He is going to talk to us about some of the research he does. I believe some of it is related to using DNA fingerprinting of a sample population of Costa Ricans do determine where their ancestors originally immigated from.
Anyway I have 2 assignments for you.
1. Google Dr. Pedro Leon and tell me something you learned about what he researches.
2. In the next few days we will be traveling to the Earth University. I'm going to be visiting a local high school and talking to students there. Send me questions that you would like me to ask them. Something you would be interested in knowing. It can be as simple as do you use cell phones? Or it can be something you want to know about their country or their plans. Anything.
I miss all of you. I'm taking lots of pictures and will try to attach some of them during my next login (fortuanately for me there are lots of computer literate people because you know I'm going to need help :):):):):).
Stay focused....and do all your assignments - especially you SENIORS!!!!! :):):):)
miss ya
mrs k
Friday, February 22, 2008
Sorry I wasn't there on Friday
Hi Everyone,
Sorry I wasn't at school today but my sore throat turned into something much worse and I needed to see the doctor before I left. I hope you all survived. Mr. W will be there on Monday to guide you the two weeks I am in Costa Rica. My doctor gave me the strongest antiobiotic he could since I told him I was on my way to the rain forests of Costa Rica and wasn't sure how I would seek medical attention. He told me he normally doesn't do that, wants a person's own immune system or weaker antibiotics to try and work first (hmmm.....remember those super bacteria we keep talking about evolving), but he would make an exception for a teacher on her way to Costa Rica.
Take care, an keep logging on. Assignments/E.C. are on their way!!
Mrs. K
Sorry I wasn't at school today but my sore throat turned into something much worse and I needed to see the doctor before I left. I hope you all survived. Mr. W will be there on Monday to guide you the two weeks I am in Costa Rica. My doctor gave me the strongest antiobiotic he could since I told him I was on my way to the rain forests of Costa Rica and wasn't sure how I would seek medical attention. He told me he normally doesn't do that, wants a person's own immune system or weaker antibiotics to try and work first (hmmm.....remember those super bacteria we keep talking about evolving), but he would make an exception for a teacher on her way to Costa Rica.
Take care, an keep logging on. Assignments/E.C. are on their way!!
Mrs. K
Sunday, February 17, 2008
One Week to Go!!!!
Hi everyone,
It's only one week until my Costa Rica Adventure. I can hardly wait. You can check here to see what I am doing. I'll also try to post pictures. Well, better get packing!!
Mrs. K
It's only one week until my Costa Rica Adventure. I can hardly wait. You can check here to see what I am doing. I'll also try to post pictures. Well, better get packing!!
Mrs. K
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