"Oh my gosh, look how big that cockroach is!" Chairs scrape back and, as only science teachers would, the group rushes toward the four-inch creature, momentarily forgetting their discussion on classroom strategies.
Today's continuation of FBLS has included a visit to Tirimbina Biological Reserve to learn about the history of traditional chocolate-making, as well as a whitewater rafting excursion where the educators collected water samples for testing. Now at Selva Verde Lodge, the educators eventually return to their seats and resume the conversation on how they could integrate what they've done into their lessons. Together they brainstorm ideas, such as using video of leaf cutter ants to let students extrapolate how much matter is moved by a colony in a year. They review the results of their water samples and how they could duplicate the activity with students in the field, either at home or abroad. From the Tirimbina chocolate tour, they ponder lessons on ethnobotany and hand pollination.
After dinner, a few of the participants set out on a bug walk around the lodge's grounds, where they ooh and ahh over katydids and spiders. Toward the end, the guide, Paulo, points out a patch of bioluminescent fungus, which raises interesting questions about why a fungus would need to be bioluminescent. Finally they return to the lodge to rest, making it back just as the rain begins to fall.
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