Escuela de Los Amigos

Well, I've been volunteering at Friends School for a week plus and I'm just beginning to understand the rhythms and how I can best be of help.  As it turns out the science teacher of grades 7/8 and 9/10 needed some help which fits my skills so we've been able to break up the two classes into small groups and do some experiments. The 9/10 class has just started a module on fisheries. To start we watched The End of the Line which is about global overfishing, today there was an experiment on research tagging (we used beans and dipped and counted 5 times) and then graphed and did some calculations.  Next week we move to fish farms.  We're going to watch Salmon Confidential, film by Alexandra Morton (my suggestion) to lead off a discussion on fish farms.  Following that I will do a session on migration using Salmon (it is such a keystone species) as the example.  Don't know I what I am going to do yet but there is time. 

The 7/8ers are studying plants and the teacher liked my suggestion that we do a project on osmosis and diffusion. Alissa, the teacher,  added venation to the project so we had quite a solid two day research project.  It is all so easy and fun.  As a result the Principal asked me to help the primary teachers develop an Environmental Education program.  I went to the computer lab (go Apple) and drafted up something in an hour.   Am so pleased because so much information is now on line.  My  past is coming back around yet again.

Meanwhile I'm taking conversational Spanish 2x a week with a lovely woman, Yinna (pronounced Xinna) who is trying to get me more confident to speak. My comprehension has improved immensely, at least I think so, but I have a difficult time forming the words.  

Other news, I  went to Monteverde Institute yesterday to find out what were the outcomes of their conference that I attended last weekend.  I also visited their library which is amazing, full of all kinds of science books (bio-physical and social).  I spent a happy hour sitting in the sun in the porch reading about the impacts of Eco tourism in different parts of Costa Rica ...I know, I know it's not for everyone....anyway, the good news is that these  folks seem to have it together.  Firstly all the various organizations agreed to chip in for a coordinator and have formed a council  to oversee the process, all of hitch sounds very grown up.  I also met the director (she has a son in Friends School) and had a great chat about what each of us have done re environmental work.   Following our conversation she asked  me if I would help the Institute organize and put together their meeting notes from last week's conference.  Flattered, of course I said yes and so I start "work" there on Monday morning for three hours. 

So, I am busy.  This weekend my family is taking me to Santa Cruz to meet their extended family. Its the grandfather and grandmother's birthday celebration. I  can't imagine what it will be like. More on that when we return....3 hours on these roads is a nightmare.  

Oh, and I also booked myself off for 5 days midMarch and I'm off to Montezuma which is at the tip of the Nicoya Peninsula.  Beach hotel and believe me it will be some welcome luxury after a month with my lovely, noisy, busy and messy family.  Hey it's 3 kids and a busy working mom and a father who is only home on weekends.  FYI. I made the first homemade pizza they've ever had last night. It was good too.  

Here is me in my plywood bedroom