The last few days have been very busy! Lots of learning of new things! I decided to follow one school again from start to finish. This was a grade 9 school from Edmonton. Great kids and it was great to be able to get to know their names and actually connect to some of them. That is one “complaint” from the presenters here – they wish they had a bit more opportunity to work with one group straight through so they can learn names. But because of the schedules and what people can and can not teach it can’t always be done.
One of the new places I went was to Aguilar Point to look at seaweed and lots of invertebrates! This beach is very different than Brady’s… all rocks. This is nice in a way because there were a ton of cool animals. It was pouring rain but the kids were troopers and just loved exploring.
I also went to a Conservation Case Studies workshop, which taught the kids about biodiversity on the coast and the conservation issues surrounding many of the animals that have seen or have learned about (no pics sorry).
Another dredging trip on the MV ALTA brought up some cool sea stars (- echinoderms are now my favorite) and some massive sea cucumbers. Below is a 4 armed sea star… not sure what happened but they will grow it back.
On a oceanography trip yesterday we were fortunate enough to see the Coast Guard research ship docked up and a helicopter bringing in supplies. Not sure why, but perhaps stocking up for a long research expedition. The BMSC is really lucky to have the Coast Guard right across the inlet – if there was any major emergency on the water with students, they are probably the best people to be sharing an inlet with.
I spoke to the instructor (Hillary) about things you need to think about when teaching outdoor education components. She said safety is number one – always be safe and I have to say that Bamfield is always following the safety protocols for the school groups – no corners are cut any time. This is one reason many of the schools and the districts allow their kids to come here – they have an excellent safety record (I heard this from a principal that was visiting with his school). The second thing is comfort – if kids are not warm, dry and fed and overall comfortable than they will not listen or have any fun. She always makes sure these two things are covered first before any outdoor instruction begins – good advice!!
This week I will jump right in and start teaching Plankton lab, Marine Mammal Adaps and eventually add Exp Marine Biol and the Rainforest walk. The instructors watch them once or twice then start teaching – me and my need to be uber prepared has me freaked out a bit but time is running out!
Yah! Harbour seals sunning themselves!
