We were finally able to conclude our "egg drop" project with a visit form the fire department. On what had to be the coldest day of the year, local firefighters set up the ladder truck in the back parking lot and one-by-one dropped my students creations to the asphalt below. Students had been challenged to creat the sturdiest but most lightweight parachute-capsule combination.

Multicultural club followed up the cooking class with Nusamai via the video conference by making rice balls for themselves as well as the German and Spanish language students! We are continuing with our language studies (slowly and painfully since my own Japanese is so limited).

Science club students are also in the midsts of creating zoo enrichment toys. We have covered balloons with layers of flour and water paste with newsprint (with no ink). The newsprint was donated by the local paper - it seems that once the rolls are a certain size, they can no longer run them through their printing machines and so usually throw them out. What a great resource for us!

Once the paper mache completely dries - and it is hard enough - we will pop the balloons and decorate with non-toxic paints and cereals. The zoo will actuall provide the treats to go inside but my students will be there when their creations are finally presented to the animals!

We have also - finally - finished mailing off our animal projects and materials along with our eco-box materials.

Pictures will follow soon,