Are the students finding your location on Google Satellite Maps? They may not be able to see you in real time, but they can zoom down to the locations you´re visiting. It will give them great perspective.
I would like to know how much change has taken place in regards to sea height, temperature, aquatic life, and amount of krill as a food source in the Galapagos region.
Mr. G (Alexa´s dad)
Mr. G., I will have to find out exactly what effects climate change are having on the Galapagos Islands. One of the teachers at the forum mentioned addressing global warming by planting schools gardens and encouraging the students to have gardens at home.
Hey, students, BioBuck offer: Googe Earth San Cristobal of the Galapagos Islands. I am in the town of Puerto Baquerizo Morelo!
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Fishing, anyone?
Hey Ms. Barrett,
I was just wondering, are there any major cities in the Galapagos Islands, and if so what can you do there? Also, if I were to go fishing, would I catch anything different than I would in the United States?
Elijah Pd. 1
Elijah,
Yes, the major town on this island is Puerto Baquerizo Morelo, which happens to be the capital of the Galapagos Islands. But it really isn´t that large at all. The largest town is Puerto Ayora on the island of Santa Cruz. For fun on the islands, children around your age play soccer, volleyball, basketball, go swimming, spend time with their families, and hang out with friends.
The locals on San Cristobal fish for carabale, loros, sapatillas, and roncadores. These are the Spanish names; I have to find out what they are in English!
I was just wondering, are there any major cities in the Galapagos Islands, and if so what can you do there? Also, if I were to go fishing, would I catch anything different than I would in the United States?
Elijah Pd. 1
Elijah,
Yes, the major town on this island is Puerto Baquerizo Morelo, which happens to be the capital of the Galapagos Islands. But it really isn´t that large at all. The largest town is Puerto Ayora on the island of Santa Cruz. For fun on the islands, children around your age play soccer, volleyball, basketball, go swimming, spend time with their families, and hang out with friends.
The locals on San Cristobal fish for carabale, loros, sapatillas, and roncadores. These are the Spanish names; I have to find out what they are in English!
GALAPAGOS Boobies on YouTube
There are many clips of the boobies on you tube, but I was sure to keep the word Galapagos in the search! They seem like a cross between a large seagull and a pelican. There was on particular clip with at least 50 of them flying by but I couldn't make out the feet to be sure it was a booby. All the other clips seem to only have one or two together. Since they do not migrate in flocks, do they stay in groups?
Also, another question, which do you like better Galapagos or Africa?
Patti
Patti,
There are three species of boobies here on the islands: Blue footed, red footed, and masked boobies (now known as Nazca boobies). They are colonial birds meaning they like to stay together as a group (like the purple martins in front of Harrington). I have seen the blue-foots every day in front of the hotel diving in the water for fish. They are well-adapted for this method of feeding. As they plunge into the water, they hit the water at break-neck speed. However, this does not hurt them because they have air sacs in their skull to cushion the impact of the dive. They also have pointed, tapered beaks and torpedo-shaped bodies. These adaptations serve them well when fishing for a meal.
Africa or the Galapagos??? Tough choice! While watching the frigate birds today, I thought it would be great to be involved in a scientific study of them. While in Africa last year, I thought about returning to study elephants or South African penguins. Both the Galapagos and Africa are places I would return to in a heartbeat!
Also, another question, which do you like better Galapagos or Africa?
Patti
Patti,
There are three species of boobies here on the islands: Blue footed, red footed, and masked boobies (now known as Nazca boobies). They are colonial birds meaning they like to stay together as a group (like the purple martins in front of Harrington). I have seen the blue-foots every day in front of the hotel diving in the water for fish. They are well-adapted for this method of feeding. As they plunge into the water, they hit the water at break-neck speed. However, this does not hurt them because they have air sacs in their skull to cushion the impact of the dive. They also have pointed, tapered beaks and torpedo-shaped bodies. These adaptations serve them well when fishing for a meal.
Africa or the Galapagos??? Tough choice! While watching the frigate birds today, I thought it would be great to be involved in a scientific study of them. While in Africa last year, I thought about returning to study elephants or South African penguins. Both the Galapagos and Africa are places I would return to in a heartbeat!
Contaminated Water
Hi! I think I have the answer to the contaminated water question. The most common diseases in the food and water supply are Hepatitis A and Typhoid Fever. They're caused by bacteria and viruses that our bodies aren't use to.
I have part of an answer about my mom's question about the coast guard. Different parks have their own river patrol boats and to help with their funding they get private donations and grants from other countries like the US. When there is an oil spill they will call the US coast guard to help clean it up.
Mike C. pd. 8
Mike,
Thanks for the answer. Unfortunately, the people of these islands have to worry about getting several diseases from the water. Solid waste products filter through the rock and contaminant the ground water, and the population increase is speeding up the rate of contamination. This may sound really gross, but it is a reality the Galapaguenos have to deal with on a daily basis. In addition to diseases from the waste, the water is also salty.
I found out the Ecuadorian Navy patrols the islands. When we pulled into port yesterday, there was a navy ship in the harbor. I heard there are a handful of these ships patroling the Galapagos Islands.
I have part of an answer about my mom's question about the coast guard. Different parks have their own river patrol boats and to help with their funding they get private donations and grants from other countries like the US. When there is an oil spill they will call the US coast guard to help clean it up.
Mike C. pd. 8
Mike,
Thanks for the answer. Unfortunately, the people of these islands have to worry about getting several diseases from the water. Solid waste products filter through the rock and contaminant the ground water, and the population increase is speeding up the rate of contamination. This may sound really gross, but it is a reality the Galapaguenos have to deal with on a daily basis. In addition to diseases from the waste, the water is also salty.
I found out the Ecuadorian Navy patrols the islands. When we pulled into port yesterday, there was a navy ship in the harbor. I heard there are a handful of these ships patroling the Galapagos Islands.
Scuba Diving
Soon after the education forum, the Institute of International Education had arranged for us to go snorkeling. Since a group of us are certified scuba divers, we suited up to go diving instead.
Typically when scuba diving, you do two dives. Our fist dive site was called “Kicker Rock.” The boat ride to the site and the camaraderie were great, but the dive wasn’t too spectacular. The visibility was less than twenty feet, and there was a strong surge on the bottom swaying us back and forth the entire dive. We were hoping to see some hammerhead or Galapagos sharks on the dive, but they didn’t show up. Actually, they probably saw us, but we didn’t see them! We did, however, see two huge sting rays. Each one was about the size of four school desks put together! We also saw schools of fish, starfish, and thousands of pencil sea urchins. The visibility on the second dive was the same…lousy! But the highlight of the second dive was the sea lions. They were swimming all around us, playful and curious, getting closer and closer each time they passed. It is amazing how graceful these animals are under the water. I took many photos using a disposable underwater camera. I hope a few of the photos turn out.
International Teacher Forum
We left the island of Santa Cruz on Saturday. After a three-hour boat ride, we arrived on the island of San Cristobal. This island is less populated than Santa Cruz, with a total population of 6,142. Greeting us at the dock were playful sea lions, soaring frigate birds, and blue-footed boobies diving headfirst into the sea. After checking into our hotel and eating lunch, I took a walk to a beach to find a colony of sea lions. There must have been over one hundred of these mammals lounging on the beach! I even saw some newborn sea lion pups. They were adorable!
On Sunday, all of the United States and Galapagueno teachers met at the Charles Darwin Convention Center for an environmental teacher forum. This forum allowed us to collaborate on both a national and international level through activities and presentations. Ms. Cecilia Machado Barrera from the Escuela Galo Plaza Lasso School on Santa Cruz, presented a wonderful Power Point about the environmental projects her students do at their school. She explained how the increased population on the islands is creating an increase in environmental problems. Her students are addressing these problems and trying to find solutions. One way they are helping is through a recycling program, trying to reduce the amount of waste produced at their school. They use recyclable products, such as paper, to make products that are then sold at a business fair. They create compost from all of the organic waste collected during lunch. This compost is used in their school gardens. One of the gardens is a butterfly garden (yes, they have milkweed and monarchs here!), and they also have gardens for native and endemic species. These habitats are used as outdoor classrooms for all the subject areas. Ms. Machado Barrera also has an after school ecology club, and takes the students on many field trips to learn about their environment. In addition, the school hosts after school and evening activities to educate the public, allowing the students to present their findings through presentations to family and community members.
Through Ms. Cecilia Machado Barrera presentation, I learned that the increase in population on the islands is a major concern to the locals and causing problems. Some of the problems they are facing are: introduced species, air pollution, water pollution, increase in solid waste, possible extinction of species, and more vehicles.
Ms. Machado Berrera and her colleagues feel everyone needs to contribute in the care and protection of the islands. Teachers at the Escuela Galo Plaza Lasso School are trying to do their part by motivating the students to care about the environment through engaging and fun environmental activities.
I have heard several times throughout this trip about the troubles with a population increase on the Galapagos Islands. Many people are concerned about this issue. Some people recognize the environmental impact, while others see the economical issues related to it. I am thankful there are teachers like Ms. Cecilia Machado Barrera addressing the Galapagos population issues in the classroom.
On Sunday, all of the United States and Galapagueno teachers met at the Charles Darwin Convention Center for an environmental teacher forum. This forum allowed us to collaborate on both a national and international level through activities and presentations. Ms. Cecilia Machado Barrera from the Escuela Galo Plaza Lasso School on Santa Cruz, presented a wonderful Power Point about the environmental projects her students do at their school. She explained how the increased population on the islands is creating an increase in environmental problems. Her students are addressing these problems and trying to find solutions. One way they are helping is through a recycling program, trying to reduce the amount of waste produced at their school. They use recyclable products, such as paper, to make products that are then sold at a business fair. They create compost from all of the organic waste collected during lunch. This compost is used in their school gardens. One of the gardens is a butterfly garden (yes, they have milkweed and monarchs here!), and they also have gardens for native and endemic species. These habitats are used as outdoor classrooms for all the subject areas. Ms. Machado Barrera also has an after school ecology club, and takes the students on many field trips to learn about their environment. In addition, the school hosts after school and evening activities to educate the public, allowing the students to present their findings through presentations to family and community members.
Through Ms. Cecilia Machado Barrera presentation, I learned that the increase in population on the islands is a major concern to the locals and causing problems. Some of the problems they are facing are: introduced species, air pollution, water pollution, increase in solid waste, possible extinction of species, and more vehicles.
Ms. Machado Berrera and her colleagues feel everyone needs to contribute in the care and protection of the islands. Teachers at the Escuela Galo Plaza Lasso School are trying to do their part by motivating the students to care about the environment through engaging and fun environmental activities.
I have heard several times throughout this trip about the troubles with a population increase on the Galapagos Islands. Many people are concerned about this issue. Some people recognize the environmental impact, while others see the economical issues related to it. I am thankful there are teachers like Ms. Cecilia Machado Barrera addressing the Galapagos population issues in the classroom.
School Visit In Santa Cruz
Part of this Toyota International Teacher Program includes visiting schools in the Galapagos. All of the school visits were arranged for Thursday, October 4th on the island of Santa Cruz. Five of us were assigned to the Colegio Miguel Angel Cazares, a middle/high school in Puerto Ayora. We were welcomed at the school gate with open arms.
The principal, assistant principal, and a science teacher took us on a tour of the garden area and greenhouse. The school is working on several environmental projects, one of them pertaining to native and endemic plants and introduced species. The students grow hundreds of plants from seeds and cuttings. As the plants grow, they are transplanted on the school grounds. All of these plantings are endemic or native plants, meaning they are naturally found on this island or in Ecuador.
In the meantime, the students have been getting rid of the introduced species on the school grounds. Introduced species cause trouble for the native species because they usually out compete the native species and spread rather quickly. The school in also working on an ecological path that will wind its way around the school grounds and to an outdoor classroom. This outdoor classroom is situated in a small volcanic crater. The students are clearing the underbrush so that they can install ampitheater seating made out of the native rock and cement. They expect their outdoor classroom to be ready by 2008. One of the attractions of the location of this outdoor classroom is that natural geographic strata are visible in one section of the wall. This entire project is being funded by a Toyota grant awarded to the school as a result of last year’s teacher forum.
The staff at the Colegio Miguel Angel Cazares is very enthusiastic about the possibility of communicating and sharing student work from Harrington Middle School. The school was also given an Apple laptop to help facilitate communication between the United States schools and the schools in the Galapagos.
The teachers that joined me at the Colegio Miguel Angel Cazares were Shannon Hill from the John Cooper School in the Woodlands, Texas, Kelli Ramer from the New York State School for the Deaf, Joe Green from the Pope High School in Marietta, Georgia, and Preston Lewis who teaches at the South Carolina School for the Deaf and Blind.
Picture link: http://www.mtlaurelschools.org/administration/mbpage.php
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