TRIAGE

TRIAGE Students and Families,

I am looking forward to beginning our exploration of science together. Thank you for sharing in our interest in investigating how the world works. We have the privilege of working together in the beautiful setting of Calvin College’s Bunker Interpretive Center and Ecosystem Preserve. The Center is a “green” building and is set in a peaceful set of ponds and trails. There is so much to explore.

Please plan on joining us on Saturday January 26th for orientation. It will be an opportunity to meet each other, tour the facility and fill out some paper work.

I am looking forward to the beginning of a new adventure.

Coach Eriks

TRIAGE Students, Families and Coaches,

Coach Martin and I were so moved by the gathering on Saturday. The posters, the buzz of conversation and the excitement that filled the Bunker Center was more than we had ever expected. The credit belongs to you. You agreed to share in our vision of growing as scientists and we found ourselves growing as well.

I looked forward to each day. Some days brought news from the world of science, “Coach Eriks, I was reading this week about corn silos and…..” Some days brought questions, “Coach Eriks, I have a question for you. How does magnetism work?” Every day brought students eager to observe and wonder. I have finished the fall richer than when I first met you.

You will be missed.
Coach Eriks

Dear TRIAGE Students

Greetings SB255. The lab is quiet this week. I miss the bussel of scientists preparing for the January colloquium. I hope that you are enjoying your science classes at school and maybe trying some experiments at home. Here is an experiment from a great site published by the Exploratorium, the museum of science, art and human perception. It is a great site to check out over the holidays.

http://www.exploratorium.edu/cooking/candy/recipe-rockcandy.html (Caution: sugar syrup is very hot - make sure an adult is helping)

I hope that you have a wonderful holiday season. I am looking forward to seeing you the week of January 7-10 to celebrate our accomplishments and finish our preparations for the colloquium on Saturday, January 12.

Coach Eriks

The Van Andel Institute visit did not come together for this week. There was not enough interest for the tour to move forward.

Coach Eriks

TRIAGE for Tuesday
TRIAGE will meet today, Tuesday December 11th in spite of the weather. Our policy is to open if Grand Rapids Public Schools are open. We will be in SB255 as usual. Please drive safely if you decide to join us.

Van Andel Visit
I am still waiting on word from the Van Andel about our visit next week. There were only seven students and four parents that responded so I believe part of the delay may be due to numbers. I’ll keep you updated!

Looking Ahead
As a reminder: TRIAGE is taking a long break for Christmas in part because of busy schedules for our middle school teacher helpers this time of year and our Calvin College pre-service teachers are in the middle of exams and making the trip home for the holidays
We will meet one last time the week of January 7 to complete our posters, practice out presentations and celebrate a year of hard work and dedication to scientific research.
The poster presentations are on January 12 back at the Bunker Center.
The calendar has all the details.

Coach Eriks

TRIAGE

We have a potential opportunity to tour the Van Andel Institute with a cancer scientist the week of December 17. He is working to arrange a time during our normal TRAIGE time on a day that week. What he needs to know, therefore, I need to know, is how many students are interested and how many of your parents would like to join us.

Please email me as soon as possible if you are interested.

lde3@calvin.edu

Coach Eriks

This number is for emergency use only.  Parents are welcome to call Becky Martin at 616.551.9421 if they need to get in touch with their child during the Zoo Snooze.

Itinerary
6:00 arrive, unload, orientation

6:30 Eat

7:00 indoor activties

Animal Presentation

Mission Impossible

Suitcase for Survival

9:00 PM Night hike into swamp adventures looking for owls

10:00 p.m Snack

10:15 Owl pellet activity (I have to track down pellets, may have to do
another owl type activity if were out of pellets)

11:00 Movie time / get ready for bed

Saturday, December 1

7:00 Rise and Shine! Pack up

8:00 Breakfast

8:45 Zoo Tour / Outdoor Activities

Visit exhibits

Play some games

10:00 Visit Eagles

10:15 Visit Swamp Adventure / Stream study

11:15 Finish

11:30 Load up bus

12:30 Arrive at Calvin

Packing List for Zoo Snooze 2007

Please distribute the following information to each Snoozer.
Program is scheduled to begin at 5:45 pm and end at 10:15 am the following morning (11:15 on Sundays).
This is a LOCK-IN; therefore we cannot accommodate late arrivals or early departures.
We will sleep in a heated/air-conditioned building with a carpeted floor and adjacent restrooms.
If you have any questions, please relay them through your group leader.

Packing List: (Pack lightly! All your overnight gear must be carried from your car to the sleeping area.)
q SLEEPING BAG & PILLOW (we sleep on a carpeted floor)
q SLEEPING MAT (optional)
q COMFORTABLE WALKING SHOES (athletic shoes are preferable; no sandals, flip flops or open-toed shoes)
q SLEEPWEAR (pajamas, sweat suits, or t-shirts & shorts)
q CHANGE OF COMFORTABLE CLOTHING FOR THE FOLLOWING DAY
q WEATHER-APPROPRIATE CLOTHING (raincoat and cold weather gear)
q BASIC TOILETRIES (hand towel, washcloth, toothbrush, toothpaste, comb/brush; showers not available)
q FLASHLIGHT (adults only)
q MOSQUITO REPELLANT (optional)
*Clearly label ALL belongings. Binder Park Zoo is not responsible for lost or stolen items.
*No food or drink may be brought on Zoo grounds.

Coach Martin

Who? All TRIAGE Students

When? 4:30 PM Friday, November 30 - 1:30 PM Saturday, December 1

Where? Binder Park Zoo Overnight Extravaganza

Why? To explore the world of exotic and native animals….
To conduct research not available to the common visitor…
To observe feeding behavior of zoo animals….
To create toys for the animals and watch their behavior ….
To night hike through the natural habitats of the zoo….
To have loads of fun and pizza…..
To celebrate a successful commitment to TRIAGE….

How? Meet at the Cheesy Fish Sculpture on Friday, 11/30 at 4:30 PM
We will be traveling by bus to Binder Park Zoo
We will be arriving back at Calvin on Saturday, 12/1 at 1:30PM

Sign Up? Fill out a permission slip and turn it in to Coach Eriks or email it to her at lde3@calvin.edu

I __________________________, parent/guardian of _________________________, give my permission for my child to attend an overnight TRIAGE Special Event at Binder Park Zoo.

______________________________________________________________________________
parent Signature/Date

Cost? $25 Donation, if possible

I look forward to seeing you and catching up on your fall research question!
Coach Martin

Greetings

SB 255 is where things are happening. Plants are starting to push through the soil toward the light. A variety of food items are busy decomposing. They are covered with all kinds of different colored organisms. There are worms in the refrigerator waiting to be of use decomposing tomatoes. There is pond water that is starting to compete with the composters for who smells the most – Coach Sam and I voted that the potatoes are winning that award at the present time.

I am also here in the lab if you want to stop by this week to earn extra research hours checking on your research or casting your vote for the “smelliest” project.

Send me an email if you have any instructions for me while I am in the lab.

If I don’t see you this week, I look forward to seeing you next week. You will be amazed how much has changed.

Coach Eriks