Hi All,
I wrote an extensive description of this fifth conference, but for whatever reason it would not post. I've decided to post the photos first and add text when time allows.
Second Attempt
On Thursday, February 15th, Vanderburg Elem and our partners at Nanakuni Elem conducted our fifth and final video conference. One of my three third grade GATE classes shared more of our Rainforest Biosphere artifacts. One student talked about medicinal plants. He shared three tinctures made from tropical plant matter mixed with alcohol from Suriname. One of the tinctures treated asthma, another diabetes and the third fevers. He showed a pressed red rose and spoke about how indigenous cultures beginning with the Maya have dried the petals of these roses and have blown them onto the backs of your throat for the treatment of sore throats. Lastly, he shared a book showing photos, drawings and written explanations of the uses of tropical plants in and around the village of Limoncocha, Ecuador. This book was a gift from a fourth grade class in the region through an exchange conducted a few years ago between one of my fourth grade classes and their school.
(I know this is only happening to me, but the remainder of this report just deleted back to this point!!!!!! TRY, Try, try again....)
A team of two students shared replicas of rainforest animal skulls. These included the special adaptations of certain animals which aide in hunting and feeding. The discussion included a comparison between the form and function of McCaw and Toucan beaks, the eye socket of a Jaguar skull, the eye and nasal cavities of a horned Iguana and the angled teeth of a Python which allows the snake to swallow its prey.
The final team shared a talk about the life and career of Dr. Jane Goodall and her work with the Chipanzees of Gombe. The presentation featured pictures from Jane's book 'The Chimpanzees I Love' and the work of the Jane Goodall Institute. This part talked about the 'Roots and Shoots' Program; the largest environmental education program for children in the world. The highlight of this teams presentation was the demonstration of a robotic Chimpanzee which mimics the facial expressions and vocalizations of live Chimps. Students in Japan were asked to guess the emotions of the robot.

The students at Nankuni Elementary shared the results of a three month study of alternative energies. Their data included the impact of waste materials on a nearby river, a study of global warming, and a shirt made from fibers culled from recycled plastic bottles. A team also showed the uses of recycled fabric from a discarded kimono.
Bye,
Bill Gilluly, Henderson, Nevada

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  iguana skull.jpg (366.42 KB)


  J. Goodall.jpg (369.78 KB)


  robot chimp.jpg (334.97 KB)


  skulls.jpg (357.52 KB)