Does the salt burn?

Hey Ms. Barrett! How's the Galapagos so far? Well, I have a question about the marine iguanas. I was wondering about the salt that dries on their backs. Wouldn't that burn their backs in the heat? Salt usually does that at the beach to my skin. Maybe it helps the iguana. And do the iguanas move from parts of the island when conditions change on other parts? Do the marine iguanas interact with the tortoises or the blue-footed boobies? Maybe they stay away from each other for certain reasons! Maybe I can answer some of these but it would be nice for you to answer some too! Thanks! Have a nice trip. Can't wait to see you.

Amanda Pd. 2

Thanks for your email, Amanda. I leave for my voyage Sunday morning. First, I have to go to California for some meetings. Then on Tuesday, all of the teachers will fly to Quito, the capital of Ecuador. We will stay in Quito one night. Then on Wednesday, we fly to the Galapagos. I can't wait! I plan to post entries along the way.

Marine iguanas, like all reptiles, are covered with scales. The scales must protect their bodies from the burning sensation you feel after swimming in the ocean. Our outer covering (our skin) is more sensitive to that. I was reading about the iguanas last night, and I read their heads are always encrusted with salt because they "sneeze" it out! This is a great way to get rid of the salt in their bodies.

I'll keep an eye out for the interactions among the species while on the islands. Thanks again, Amanda, and thanks for helping process the monarchs while I am away!

The more I read, the more questions I have!

The more I read, the more questions I have!

I have read that the blue-footed boobies travel to most of the islands north and south of Ecuador, but they don't know if they migrate further than that distance. They usually live in very large colonies so there are always some of them nesting (in pairs). Do you know if they stay with their mate for life?

When you stay there, will you stay at the Darwin settlement or in one of the hotels for tourists?

I read that there are only 54 sites open for tourism and that they recommend people take cruises to see more of the islands. Will you be taking a cruise during your time? Are people allowed to go in the water (diving, snorkeling) on their own or only as part of organized tours?

How do they protect the islands? Do they have island security? Do they have water security (like our Coast Guard)? Who pays for it - donations or government funding?

Where do the settlement employees get emergency care if needed? Are they transported by boats or helicopters?

Are their illnesses that you can be exposed to from all of the animals and birds? Did you have to get special immunizations? Are the animals at risk from any particular human diseases?

Mike C's mom, (pd 8)

Mrs. C.,
Excellent questions, and thanks for joining us! Moms are welcome also!

First, thanks for the booby migration information. Many species in the Sulidae family pair for life.

I will be staying in hotels while on the islands. We do need to travel to a few of the islands, and we will do that by boat. I am not sure if people can snorkel or scuba dive on their own; it may depend on the island. But don't quote me on that! I hope to dive while on the trip. If it is possible, I would go through a dive shop.

I did not need to get immunizations for the trip, however, I've already have several from my trip to Africa last summer.

Hey, Mike, how about you helping out with the rest of the answers to your mom's questions?!

A typical September day

I was wondering exactly how hot it gets down in the Galapagos. I think it's odd how you said that penguins can live there. I'm just curious what the average temperature is on the islands on a typical September or October day. Also, does it ever get cold in the winter since it's right along the equator?

Allie, pd. 9

Allie, it does seem very odd that there are penguins around the Galapagos Islands. This is because of the Humboldt Current (read Cara's entry "Not typically tropical" dated September 19th). I just looked up the ten-day forecast on weather.com for the Galapagos. The temperature will be in the low 70s every day. We'll have to do some research to find out what the temperature is year round, or maybe I can just take another trip to the islands in the winter!

"Stupid Fellow"

In class you mentioned that the blue footed booby had a Spanish connection to how it got its name. Well I looked it up on http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue-footed_Booby and found the answer. It says that the blue-footed booby got its name from the Spanish word Bobo. Bobo means in Spanish “stupid fellow”. It also says that they were very clumsy on land, but also can be very tame. That is kind of weird. It also mentions that it is part of the Sulidae family which comprises ten species of long-winged seabirds. Now that is interesting.

Bobby, pd. 8

Gracias, Bobby! Now you know where the phrase, "don't be a booby" comes from!

Where will you be working?

I have read that there are 13 large islands, 6 small islands, and 40 islets. Will you be working in one place all two weeks or will you be traveling around to the different islands? My second question is will you be bringing any plant specimens back and will they survive in our area?

Michael C. pd:8

Thanks, Mike, for your questions. About bringing plant specimens back - No way! It is illegal! Take a look at the "Park Rules" entry posted by Alex on September 19th. The islands are a national park, and guidelines MUST be followed to help preserve the organisms and their environment. The very first rule is:

No plant, animal, or remains of such (including shells, bones, and pieces of wood), or other natural objects should not be removed or disturbed.

While in the Galapagos, I will be staying on Santa Cruz and San Cristobal. One other island I know we will visit is Lobos Island. This is an excellent island to observe Galapagos wildlife. We'll snorkel Lobos also. I found a great website that gives descriptions of the Galapagos Islands.

http://www.southernexplorations.com/galapagos-IslandDescriptions.htm

Marine Iguanas

I don't know if you can post this or not, because it's not a question it's a fact, but I was on the web looking at the Galapagos Islands, and found that the blue-footed booby is not the only unique animal on the islands. There is also an iguana that is called the marine iguana. It's an amphibious creature, but is only on the Galapagos Islands. I read that when the iguana is cold, it really can't move so it's more vulnerable to predation. I thought it was interesting because in class we only talk about the blue-footed booby, but now there's another animal you can look out for on your trip.

Erin
period 8

Congratulations, Erin! You are the first person from period 8 to post an entry!

I have been trying to entice students to talk ask about other species on the islands, however, many students seem to focus on the blue-footed booby (hummm...). Anyway, yes, the marine iguana is a fascinating creature of the islands. I can't wait to see them. They grow to about one meter long! That is a huge iguana! Your note about the iguana being sluggish when cold is typical of reptiles. They often need to sun themselves in order to warm up because they are ectothermic. Their bodies cannot produce a great deal of internal heat, so they must rely on the environment for warmth.

You may not have asked a question, but you actually answered one! Read the "Endemic Species" entry posted by Spencer on September 19th. The marine iguana is found nowhere else on this Earth! What a treat it will be to see them!

I have a dream...

I am so excited for you about your trip to the Galapagos! I have been very interested in those islands myself, but far too lazy to research them! Still I have a dream to visit them some day! Some of the things I was wondering about the Islands are..

-compared to your typical Jersey shore how polluted are the beaches?
-other than the tortoises you mentioned, are there any more endangered species on the islands?
-what species are you most looking forward to seeing or learning about?
-you've mentioned unique animals on the islands, but are there any unique plants?

Those are just some things I've been wondering about! Have a great time!

-Sophie

Sophie,
Wow! Thanks for your thoughts and questions. First off, "too lazy to research them"??! Get ready to work! You tell me, what animals are endangered or threatened on the islands?

Did you ever hear of succession? (Look that one up also!). I am not sure of exactly what kind of plants I will see on the islands, however, what will be interesting is seeing succession at its finest. Plants will be growing on what seems to be bare rock. These 'pioneer species' lead the way for animals and other plants. These changes over time will lead to a community of organisms in a place that was once only volcanic rock and ash.

What do I want to see most or learn about? Everything... marine iguanas, Galapagos tortoises, Galapagos penguins, finches, boobies, frigate birds, sea lions, Sally light-foot crabs, sharks... all of it. I can't pick just one thing. Also, I look forward to visiting the schools, meeting the students and teachers, and keeping you updated on my blog!

I know the Galapagos had a major oil spill back in 2001. I hope to find out what impact the spill had on the islands and wildlife. I am glad to hear you are interested in the New Jersey marine environment. There are many organizations working hard to keep our beaches clean, including Clean Ocean Action.

Keep your dream alive! You will get to the Galapagos one day!

Migration

Shade, pd. 2

I was wondering, do the blue footed boobies migrate. If so, where to and what time of the year?

Good questions, Shade. We can't help but think about migration around this time of the year. Our monarchs are heading to Mexico, and many of our birds are flying to Central or South America. Can someone help us with this question? Are the blue-footed boobies migratory?

Sea Turtles

I recently went to the Hawaiian Island Maui, and I swam with turtles. According to the locals in Maui, the turtles were raised in a preserve. I would like to know if the turtles in the Galapagos Islands are raised in preserves, or are they on their own when it comes to mating and nesting?
 
Rachel pd.2

Rachel,

I know green sea turtles nest on at least one of the Galapagos Islands, Bartolome. Read Amanda's blog entry entitled, "Charles Darwin Research Station" dated September 22. She inquired about the land tortoises, and I explained ways in which the scientists are trying to help them. I am not sure if they also work with the sea turtles at the research station. Great question! I will have to find out. This past summer I spent two weeks on the Hawaiian Island of Kauai. I saw many sea turtles while scuba diving. They are beautiful animals! I also saw some endangered Hawaiian monk seals. There are only about 1,300 left in the wild. Did you have an underwater camera by any chance?

Island Culture

Sonal, pd. 1

I wanted to know what kind of culture and ethnic background the Galapagos people have. What languages do they speak? What religions do they have? Etc.

Thanks for your questions, Sonal. I believe five of the islands are inhabited, so I wonder if each island takes on a flavor of its own. I will have to investigate these topics for you during my visit.

Questions to be answered

Students, the directions about getting published on our blog are pretty far down at this point (the newest blog entries are on the top). The entry titled "Do you want to get published? Read on!" from September 16th explains how this blog works. Remember, you can ask questions, answer questions, illustrate, or find resources.

There are several questions on the table to be answered:

"Scientific Names" by Alex on September 21
"Predator-Prey Relationships" by Crystal on September 21
"Are there red-footed boobies also? by Pam on September 21
"Blue Morpho" by Stacey on September 21
"Natural Predators" by Aura on September 19
"Park Rules" by Alex on September 19
"Will I need an umbrella?" by Caroline on September 19
"Endemic Species" by Spencer on September 19
"Islands, Islets, & Rocks" by Pam on September 19
"Not typically tropical" by Cara on September 19
"Sexual Dimorphism" by Savannah on September 19
"What makes the islands so special?" by Om on September 19

Get involved and stay involved! You will be better prepared for our Galapagos Gala when I return!

mbarrett@mountlaurel.k12.nj.us

Charles Darwin Research Station

Amanda from pd. 2...

I was just wondering, you said you were going to study the tortoises, but I wasn't sure what you were exactly going to be studying about them. I love turtles and my grandparents went to the Galapagos Islands before and were up close next to the giant tortoises. I really hope there is nothing wrong with the wildlife there.

Amanda, I love turtles, too! The Charles Darwin Research Station on Santa Cruz (one of the Galapagos Islands) is trying to help the Galapagos tortoises by collecting eggs from the wild. They hatch and raise the turtles in captivity until they reach a size that they feel would have a good chance of survival in the wild. They also have a captive breeding program at the station. In addition, the Galapagos National Park Service will sometimes hunt feral predators and competitors. I will be visiting the Darwin Research Station to learn about these programs and if they have been successful in helping increase the tortoise population. Ask your grandparents if they visited the station. If the research station has brochures or pamphlets, I will bring some back for you. Thanks for caring about wildlife!

I just found a really great website for you and your family. It is all about the Galapagos tortoises, including threats to survival and conservation measures being taken.

http://www.discovergalapagos.com/tortoise.html#BREEDING

Scientific Names

I was wondering, what's the scientific name for the blue-footed booby?

Alex pd. 5

Alex, your question is about classification. All of the (discovered) organisms on this Earth have been classified or grouped. The levels of classification are domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, species. The last two levels of classification, genus and species, make up the organism's scientific name. In class we have been studying O.e., the protozoan parasite that infects monarchs. O.e. is short for Ophryocystis elektroscirrha, the scientific name for this protozoan. Many scientific names are Latin or Greek based and may be challenging to read or say!

Ornithologists

Jazmin (2nd pd.)

According to www.galapagoscruises.us/useful_information/galapagos_name.htm, these beautiful islands got their name from the tortoises found on the island come from. Due to the tortoises' resemblance with a Spanish saddle, they were baptized with its name GALAPAGOS. Throughout the years, the name "Galapagos" was given to the islands. That is why when we talk about the Galapagos Islands we are talking about a group of islands full of these enormous tortoises.

Jazmin also wanted to share an excellent website she discovered:
www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Blue-footed_Booby.html

Jazmin,
Thanks for the information. The website you found is fantastic! Cornell University has a great ornithology lab (guess what ornithologists study?).

Predator-Prey Relationhips

Crystal (5th pd.)

What does the blue-footed booby eat? Also what eats it?

Crystal, thanks for the great questions! You are asking about the boobies' predator-prey relationships. The blue-footed booby feeds in a very special way. I am adding to your questions, what adaptations allow these birds to feed the way they do? I look forward to getting the answers to our questions!

Are there red-footed boobies also?

Pam in first period asks...

I've heard of the red footed booby, do they live there too? Also, I noticed that the blue footed booby has a blue beak, does the red footed booby have a red beak, or a blue one?

Pam, thanks for your questions. Maybe we can get Michele to illustrate a red-footed booby for our blog!

Blue Morpho

Stacy, period 9

I was wondering if there any other species of butterflies living in the Galapagos Islands besides the Blue Morpho Butterfly you were telling us about in class? I found out some information about the Blue Morpho Butterfly. Its scientific name is Morpho menelaus. It lives in South and Central America, including the Galapagos Islands, Brazil, Costa Rica, and Venezuela. It is a neotropical butterfly, which means that they are part of a geographical division in South America. The females are are not as brightly colored as the males and have a brown edge with white spots surrounding the blue area. The Blue Morpho Butterfly has a wingspan of about 6 inches (15 cm). For food, they drink juices of rotting fruit using their straw-like proboscis (mouth).

Stacy,
I had mentioned in class seeing the blue morpho in Ecuador, South America. That is great you found in your research that they are found on the islands. I hope I see one on my expedition. A few years ago while doing a bird study in the Andes of Ecuador, I saw the blue morpho in the wild. Before that day, I had only seen them in pictures. It was such a beautiful sight! Only the upper part of the wings are blue; the bottom of the wings are brown. When the butterfly is flitting around, it flashes blue, brown, blue, brown, because of this color variation. Thanks for the information, Stacey.

It was an accident!

Shade' (Pd. 2) discovered...

On March 10, 1535, Thomas de Belanga discovered the Galapagos Islands by accident! When traveling to Peru, his fleet was shipwrecked. On the islands, Belanga saw enormous tortoises. That is why the islands are named “Island of the Tortoises!”

Thanks for your input, Shade! Now we know exactly why the islands were named Insulae de los Galopegos or Island of the Tortoises!

Seasick!

This is random, but Charles Darwin went to the Galapagos Islands on a ship named the Beagle (I don't know if it's the food or the dog, but it's most likely to be latter). Well, he had major sea sickness during his trip, so that expedition was the only one he had using a ship.
-Manyan, pd. 1

Manyan, did you know that Darwin's voyage lasted five years? If he had problems with seasickness, that must have been one very long boat ride!

Natural Predators?

I was wondering if animals and plants in the Galapagos Islands had any natural predators. Then I found this information from one of the web pages I visited. "The native animals, lacking natural predators on the islands, are defenseless to introduced species and fall prey." Introduced species were the animals and plants brought to the Galapagos Islands by humans. Is this supposed to mean that the natural species are going to be run over by these newcomers? I surely hope that there is a way to stop at least some of it.

Aura
Pd. 1

Great thoughts, Aura! Introduced species are a serious problem everywhere, even here in New Jersey. It is very possible for introduced species to out-compete native species. I have read that feral animals are a serious problem for the tortoises, iguanas, and even the penguins. I hope there is a way to stop them, too! I am sure I will find out about programs focused on saving the native species. When I do, I will let you know!

What will you study?

How did you find out about this program, and will you be studying the different mammals and species or something else?

Nicole, pd. 1

Nicole,
I found out about the program at a science convention. I couldn't believe such a great program existed! I feel extremely fortunate to be one of only 24 teachers from the United States selected to participate, and I am very thankful to Toyota for funding such an incredible trip!

The program will focus on the environment as a whole, so I hope to study as many of the animals as possible!

Park Rules

I was wondering what type of animals live there? and How close you can get to them? Do you get to interact with them or only observe them?

Alex pd.9

Alex, a few entries ago I discussed the tameness of the animals on the islands. Even so, there are rules that must be followed. The islands are a national park, and guidelines must be followed in order to preserve the organisms and their environment.

1. No plant, animal, or remains of such (including shells, bones, and pieces of wood), or other natural objects should not be removed or disturbed.
2. Be careful not to transport any live material to the islands, or from island to island.
3. Do not take any food to the uninhabited islands, for the same reason.
4. Do not touch or handle the animals.
5. Do not feed the animals. It can be dangerous to you, and in the long run would destroy the animals' social structure and breeding habits.
6. Do not startle or chase any animal from its resting or nesting spot.
7. Stay within the areas designated as visiting sites.
8. Do not leave any litter on the islands, or throw any off your boat.
9. Do not deface the rocks.
10. Do not buy souvenirs or objects made of plants or animals from the islands.
11. Do not visit the islands unless accompanied by a licensed National Park Guide.
12. Restrict your visits to officially approved areas.
13. Show your conservationist attitude.

Will I need an umbrella?

Caroline from pd. 4

I'm wondering what kind of weather the Galapagos Islands get? Do they get a lot of rain, or hot dry days?

Also, do you know how many different animals live there besides the blue footed booby?

Caroline,
Thanks for the weather question. I need the answer so I know what type of clothing to pack!

Your second question deals with the diversity of the islands. Excellent question! Do you think the diversity would be greater on the islands or on the mainland?

Endemic Species

Are there any animals that live only in the Galapagos Islands? If so, what are they?

-Spencer, pd. 1

Good question, Spencer. The term endemic species is used to describe organisms that are confined to a particular geographic region (like the Galapagos Islands). Well, class, what are the islands endemic species?

Islands, Islets, & Rocks

Is it a chain of islands or one big island?...if it is a chain of islands, how many are there?

---Pam (period 1)

Pam,
Jeff stated in an earlier blog entry that there are thirteen islands. He is correct; there are thirteen large islands (greater than 10 square kilometers), but the chain also includes six smaller islands and over forty islets! There are also many small rocks and islets that remain unnamed.

What is the term for a chain of islands?

No Fear

Jade (period 9)
I was wondering if there was anything besides its blue feet that made the blue-footed booby bird really unique. Today in class you talked about how they like to dance, but I was wondering if there was anything else unique about them.

Good question, Jade. Something that is very unique about all of the animals on the Galapagos Islands is that they really have little or no fear of humans. This behavior allows visitors to get very close to the wildlife. I am sure this will provide some great photo opportunities!

"Not typically tropical"

All of the information below is credited to Volume 6 of the Lands and Peoples reference books, which are published by Groiler Incorporated.

The Galapagos were founded in 1535 by Tomas de Berlanga. Apparently, he and his crew stumbled upon an island that was bare-except for the dirt and the cacti, which were an excellent source of water.

When I read a passage that described the islands as, "not typically tropical", I had answered my own question of "What is the climate like?”. It explained that though the islands are very close to the equator, they can have cooler temperatures because of a current called the "Peru Current". Therefore, the Galapagos can home organisms that thrive in cooler temperatures and species that survive in warmer temperatures, which leads to diverse wildlife.

Also, the chain of islands is a province of Ecuador, and is carefully preserved and observed; there are rare species on each island.


Cara, pd. 1


Cara, you are so right about the cold water current sweeping by the islands. I believe the current is also referred to as the Humboldt Current. Guess what bird species is present at the equator because of this cold water current? Many people would never believe that this species can be found at the zero latitude line!

Shall we dance?

I'm wondering how these birds (blue-footed boobies) get those blue feet? Does something cause them to be blue? Is there something special about these blue feet?

Stacey
Pd.5

Stacey,
One thing I know about the blue feet of the blue-footed booby is that they are instrumental in their courtship dance. I have a book on my desk that talks about how the dance is performed. Remind me to read the passage in class.

Sexual Dimorphism

Savannah from 1st period was wondering, how can you tell a male blue footed booby from a female? Do the females have different color feathers? (I know usually the males have brighter colored feathers.) Do they migrate? If so, where? How long do they live?

Savannah, you are right about many of the male birds being more brightly colored than the females of the same species. One theory is that the females do the selecting of the mates, so the male must look good to get the girl! Your question actually refers to what is called "sexual dimorphism." You are asking if there is sexual dimorphism in the species, meaning, is there a difference in the appearance in the males and females (size, color, etc.). Two local examples of birds with sexual dimorphism are the eastern goldfinch and northern cardinal. You will be able to give me many more examples after we do our bird study!


I look forward to hearing the answers to your questions because I am a bird watcher!

Underwater Volcanoes

Jeff (period 1) has some information for Kevin about how the Galapagos Islands were formed...

The Galapagos Islands were formed about 4 million years ago. Underwater volcanoes erupted, and layer, by layer, the molten rock built itself up to the surface. There are now 13 islands that make up the Galapagos islands. 2 of them still have active volcanoes. (Isabella and Fernanadina)

I also have a question.
How did the land animal, like the land iguana, get to be on the island?

Excellent question, Jeff! Let's brainstorm possible answers to this question in class. We will see what your peers come up with!

I don't believe I will be going to Isabella or Fernandina, but I sure will remember when I am on their neighboring islands that those two islands are active volcanoes!


Spencer from 1st period wants to add...
The last eruption was on Isabela on October 22, 2005. Isabela and Fernandina are the two youngest islands and are the most volcanically active.

Natural Surfers

From Artemis (pd. 2)...

I am interested in knowing if the islands have people on them or not? Also, I am a surfer. By chance do you know if the waves are nice there? I always ask people who have been places if there are waves. Are there dolphins there? I like the dolphins. Did you know they are natural surfers that ride the waves by jumping in front of them and riding it. It is a spectacular site! I have seen it before.


Artemis,
Great observation of the dolphins' behavior in the waves! You are very fortunate to have witnessed it. Yesterday Sonal posted a question wondering what marine mammals are found around the islands. I just found a website that states there are three species of dolphins living near the islands: bottle-nosed, spinner, and common dolphins. (http://www.tortoisetours.com/islands-wildlife2) I haven't seen dolphins riding the surf, however, I have seen hundreds of dolphins bow riding. Two years ago I did a three-week study on a NOAA ship in the Pacific Ocean. Guess what we were studying? Cetaceans! (Look it up, you'll be pleased!) Also, on the right hand side of this blog page under the subtitle, "More journals from the field", you will see a link to my entries from my study at sea. Check it out when you have time. And Artemis, I will remember to check out the surf, just for you!

What makes the islands so special?

What is the reason that the Galapagos Islands are special, because of the animals that live on them or that that it's the birth place of Darwin's Evolution Theory? Also, how many different types of species live on the Galapagos?

-Om
1st Period

Island Formation

Kevin from period 1 would like to know, "How were the Galapagos Islands formed?"

Good question, Kevin. And when were they formed?

Well, Greg...

Fray Tomas de Berlanga founded the islands. It was named Insulae de los Galopegos or Island of the Tortoises.

by Sonal (pd. 1)

Sonal, my questions to you (or anyone listening) are, when did de Berlanga discover the islands? Was it by accident? Where was he from? and why did he name them the Island of the Tortoises?

Thanks for your input, Sonal. Sonal also wants to post a question:
What kind of marine mammals live around the Galapagos?

As a scuba diver, I share your interest in marine life. Ocean life fascinates me, even the sharks! Can someone help us out with this question?

First Question

Who discovered the Galapagos Islands, and why did they name them that? (Greg, pd. 1)

Thanks for the question, Greg.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

We are fortunate in Mt. Laurel to have much of the latest and greatest when it comes to technology in our schools. We are hoping I can connect with Harrington students through iChat while in the Galapagos Islands. There is a camera built into my laptop that will allow me to videoconference with my students. Mrs. Barbara Ahr, the technology coordinator in the district, is trying to help make this possible. We just don't know exactly what technology the islands offer. So let's keep our fingers crossed in hopes I can bring the Galapagos Islands into our New Jersey classroom!

Do you want to be published? Read on!

I just brainstormed a list of questions and topics that I thought you (students, colleagues, family, and friends) would like to know about the Galapagos. Actually when I mentioned the trip to my classes, some of you asked me questions... “Where are the Galapagos Islands?” “What animals live on the islands?" "Is Mr. Edwards going on the trip?" (Many of my students had Mr. Edwards for 7th grade science.) In one class, we briefly discussed the endangerment of the tortoises, and one student asked, "Is anything being done to help them?"

I want to make this blog interactive; I want it to be OUR blog. So instead of me publishing answers to questions that I think you have, or publishing information that I think you should know, I want you to be in the driver’s seat. If you would like to be published, here's how:

1) Ask a question you want answered.
2) Answer questions that are posted.
3) Illustrate pictures for the blog entries (I would really love a blue-footed booby for next to the title!).
4) Find excellent resources for people interested in finding out more about the islands (books, websites, articles, etc.).

You can email me your submissions (mbarrett@mountlaurel.k12.nj.us) or give them to me in school. Please make sure you type “Galapagos Islands” in the subject area of the emails. If duplicate submissions come in, we'll have to do it on a first come, first serve, basis. Good luck!

PS Some of you may be wondering if this is extra credit. Just do it! You'll be smarter for it! (We can discuss its worth in class!)

Homework

I have received a couple more Fed Ex deliveries from the Galapagos program directors since the initial welcome package. This week I received my flight information. I just realized I haven't mentioned the dates on my trip. I leave on September 30th and return October 12th.

One of the packaged I received over the summer included two books for me to read. Yes, class, even some teachers get summer homework assignments! My Father's Island, by Johanna Angermeyer, is a true story about a girl (Johanna) whose father and his four brothers fled Nazi Germany for the Galapagos where they lived like Robinson Crusoes. Unfortunately, Johanna grew up in the states and dreamed of returning to the islands her father had loved. Reading about Johanna's family life on the Galapagos Islands got me even more excited about my trip. One day during our trip, we will even be eating dinner at Angermeyer Point on Santa Cruz Island! The other book, written by Michael H. Jackson, is a natural history book entitled Galapagos. I'm still working on that one. It details the natural history of the plants and animals found in the Galapagos.

Any questions, students?

Did you know there was a bird with blue feet…big, blue, webbed feet? Well, there is. It's the blue-footed booby! And the male blue-footed booby dances for the female, showing off his big, blue feet! The Galapagos is also home to the red-footed booby and the masked booby. (Do they also dance for each other?) Besides the boobies, the islands have frigate birds. The male frigates have a large, red throat sac that inflates like a balloon. Sound attractive? If you were a female frigate, it would! (Why are these birds called frigate birds? Isn't that a type of ship?) Marine iguanas can only be found on the Galapagos Islands. (Marine iguanas? Does that mean they live in the ocean?) These lizards grow to about three feet long and feed exclusively on algae and seaweed. I also hope to see giant Galapagos tortoises. Years ago, people realized these tortoises were in dire need of our protection. Fortunately, the Charles Darwin Research Station was established to help save these animals from extinction. (Why were they endangered? What made the population decrease? How many are left in the wild?) Speaking of Darwin, the Galapagos Islands are the birthplace of his theory of evolution. (What does his theory state? Didn't it have something to do with the beaks of finches?)

In class, we talked about the importance of asking scientific questions. Be observant and ask questions. Be that two-year old who always asks, "Why?”

What is the purpose of the trip?

I know it sounds like I am taking two weeks off from school just to have fun, but isn't learning supposed to be fun?! There are many reasons for this expedition, and all pertain to the teaching and learning that occurs in my classroom. The program seeks to inspire the teaching and learning of environmental stewardship by meeting the following objectives:

1) to develop creative teaching strategies using the Galapagos as a case study;
2) to provide teachers with opportunities to speak with experts, community advocates, and participate in group learning activities;
3) to build global skills and perspectives;
4) to broaden awareness about environmental sustainability and stewardship;
5) to expand collaborative skills through professional presentations;
6) and to foster continued collaboration between US and Galapagueño educators.

Don’t the Galapagos Islands sound like the perfect classroom setting for these lessons?

Thank you, or better yet, gracias!

In all of the excitement preparing for my trip, I want to thank some of the people who helped make this trip possible. I can't think of a better way (other than buying them souvenirs in South America!) than to post their names on my blog.

Gracias to Robert and Judy for your support from day one...Lyn and Irene for brainstorming, proofing, and looking at my work with fresh eyes...Donna and Chris for your letters of recommendations...Mom for the many meals that provided me with the energy to slave away at my work...Toyota for funding the program...the IIE selection committee for choosing me...and gracias to the Mt. Laurel Administrative Team and Board of Education who are allowing me to take off two weeks during the school year!

And students, I want to thank you in advance for behaving for the substitute!

I am going to the Galapagos!

When I saw a Fed Ex package from Washington DC on my porch during the last week of May of 2007, I knew it had to be good news. One month prior, I had applied to participate in an international teacher program in the Galapagos Islands. The recipients were to be notified by June, and June was only a few days away. I put my heart and soul into the application essays, revising and editing almost every day for about a month. My hard work paid off! The congratulatory letter stated I was one of twenty-four United States teachers selected to participate in the Toyota International Teacher Program through the Institute of International Education. I am going to the Galapagos Islands!