One of the most engaging periods of learning for Beringia students was a visit to Georgeson Botanical Garden. They were asked to relate the success of experimental plantings of exotic shrubs and trees from different parts of the world. They were fascinated (working in small groups) to find that Siberian shrubs and trees grew very well, compared to other high latitude sources.
My hopes to expose North Slope students to the rich structure of tundra plants and animals went nowhere. A brick of vegetative mat uprooted in winter proved to have a very active population of red mites. When they thawed out, and when students looked at them through dissecting microscopes, the laboratory evacuated with alacrity that would have drawn praise from the Fire Marshall.
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2 comments:
You have a very unique way of telling a story. It's very easy to read. Sorry your North Slope activity didn't turn out the way you planned, but you have the satisfaction of knowing you not only tried, but were successful in learning something yourself :)
I laughed until I cried at your mites in the lab story. A true teachable moment, eh?
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