Johann’s Birthday Party

Tag Archives: avery point

Saturday, May 23, 2009

zooplankton = wonder
Originally uploaded by eclectic echoes.

Making plankton.
Originally uploaded by eclectic echoes.

Let ‘em float!
Originally uploaded by eclectic echoes.

A menagerie in Marzipan.
Originally uploaded by eclectic echoes.

13 choices for Which Critter is Best.
Originally uploaded by eclectic echoes.

A beach combing scavenger hunt.
Originally uploaded by eclectic echoes.

Taking inventory of the scavenger hunt.
Originally uploaded by eclectic echoes.

Dolphin Batik Tote Bag
Originally uploaded by eclectic echoes.

Party Favors for all!!
Originally uploaded by eclectic echoes.

What a great day! Everything went well, we had beautiful weather, and everyone had fun. What more could we ask for? Johann wanted to have an ocean–themed party, but when I started planning activities, I quickly realized there was no way we could do it at our house with our space limitations.

We looked at a number of places around town and finally decided on Project Oceanology at Avery Point. They have fantastic oceanography education programs for kids and I thought that maybe they did parties too, so I checked their website. Since their programs are for 4th grade and up, having a party there was a great opportunity to do something for younger kids.

Johann chose the party option entitled “Plankton Pandemonium”. Emily was the young lady who did the activities with the kids and she was great! She got a sample of plankton and put out petri dishes at a number of microscopes so everyone had a chance to see the plankton. There was also a video of plankton the kids could watch. Then the kids made their own “plankton” out of mesh fabric, coffee filters, yarn scraps, feathers, pom-poms, etc.

Since Project O is in a two–story building with an open staircase, once the crafting was done, we held plankton races. All the kids went upstairs and when Emily gave the signal, they dropped their plankton creations. There had to be two heats, because of the number of kids there, and then a tie breaker race. Because plankton have to float to stay alive, the winner of the race was the one who’s plankton stayed afloat the longest.

While Emily prepared the second activity for the kids, we had cupcakes and ice cream. Johann loved having Happy Birthday sung to him. Once he blew out his number 9 candle on one of the cupcakes, I put the platter with all the marzipan cupcakes on the table. All the kids had the roundest, big saucer eyes I’d ever seen! Some of the moms asked me if I was in business making cake decorations and that I should be if I wasn’t. One said the marzipan was too beautiful to eat. Eric explained what each creature was and then everyone chose what they wanted. We chose invertebrates that the kids might not have seen before, to show them there is much more in the ocean besides the high profile fish and cetaceans everyone is familiar with.

Since the weather held, we were able to do the scavenger hunt at the small beach near the Project O building. The kids divided up into teams, got their plastic bins, checklists, and beachcombing guides, and jumped right in! Once the teams had everything on the list that they could find, Emily discussed each item with the kids, explaining more about the animals and answering any questions. Eric said it was a good thing that we had the outdoor activity right after the sugar rush of the cupcakes and ice cream! All the kids had loads of fun exploring on the beach.

Then it was time to open presents. Johann liked everything he got. They were surprised when we gave out our party favor gifts. Eric, Johann, and I dyed the blank tote bags using Eric’s copper dolphin chop and soy wax. We got each child their own copy of The Ocean Book, Aquarium and Seaside Activities and Ideas for All Ages, a small all–weather notebook for writing down observations, an ocean creatures pencil, and an orca eraser.

In answering questions and compliments, I explained to the moms why we chose Project O and why we did everything we did for the party. Johann said he loves the ocean so much that he wanted to share that with all of his friends. And since this is the first birthday party he’s ever had for friends, we wanted to make it extra special. Johann thanked us for the party on the way home in the car. He said it was the best day of his life.

The adults learned just as much from the party as the kids did. An audible “wow” came from the group when Emily told them that phytoplankton is responsible for most of the oxygen we breathe. We helped instill a new appreciation for the ocean and the organisms that live there. Hopefully from now on when the kids are at the beach or they think about the ocean, they will look at everything in a whole new way.

Filed in Family, Oceans, Science, Shanti School | Also tagged birthday, food arts, Johann, marzipan, project o, tammy | Comments (6)

Supporting Our Junior Scientist

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Eric’s parents and grandfather have done just as much to support Johann in his scientific interests as Eric and I have. Without their help, I wouldn’t be able to homeschool Johann as easily and Eric wouldn’t be going back to school, which has also furthered Johann’s education when Eric brings new ideas and knowledge home to share. Eric’s grandfather and parents also gave Johann a microscope and sets of pre-made slides for Christmas last year, which we have definitely put to good use.

You might think, so what? That’s what families are there for. Well, not necessarily. Sometimes families can fail you, which is why we are so grateful for the support we get from Eric’s family. It definitely helps to know there is someone you can count on when things get tough. What surprises me is newfound support that has come from a place we didn’t expect.

Johann hard at work collecting organisms from a sediment sample at one of the labs

We’ve been told before by people that they’ve never seen a kid so turned on to science as Johann is. Certain key people at Avery Point have noticed Johann’s enthusiasm too. Two weeks ago this became even more clear to me. Noreen, one of the lab managers at Avery Point, asked us in so that Johann could work on the microscope again. He’s been helping answer their research question: Has recent pipe work on the ocean floor at the location they are studying adversely affected the benthic creatures there? They are testing the biomass of the worm population. If the worms, as the lowest life form there, are affected, then organisms further up the food chain will also be affected. The oyster farmers want to know.

So Johann has had the chance to pick out worms from their sediment samples and help them get a little further along, while gaining a wonderful experience. Noreen even bought Johann a composition notebook to use as his laboratory notebook and wrote his name on it. She keeps it in a drawer for him, so it is there when he goes in to help and wants to make a note or a drawing of what he sees under the microscope. The lead scientist loved the idea of Johann being in his lab to help and gave Noreen permission to have Johann there as often as she could.

After Johann’s lab time, we were invited to a friend’s defense. We had just finished telling Johann he wasn’t allowed to ask questions, because this was a Master’s defense and the rules were that we three were just supposed to sit and listen. Then Dr. Shumway came over and told Johann that she expected him to ask a question, so he must think of a good one. She said she wanted everyone there to see the great minds that are coming behind them.

Johann, with Eric’s help, thought of an appropriate question, which our friend politely answered. Afterward, both Dr. Bohlen and Dr. Ward came over to Johann to talk to him and give him more information about his question. Johann got two mini science lessons right there in the reception area from the two top research scientists and professors. They both looked very proud of Johann and seemed excited about his interest. They usually stop and chat with him whenever they see us at Avery Point. Even if they are in a hurry, they still take a few minutes to connect with Johann and encourage him.

It’s not always easy, but I’m glad I chose to stay home with Johann and homeschool him. He would be so unhappy in public school and he certainly wouldn’t be learning science the way he is now. Whenever I’m unsure of how effective I’m being, I think about the support we have and all the compliments Eric and I both get from the professors and graduate students at Avery Point. They recognize what we are doing and see how Johann is absorbing it all. They see his potential too. Sometimes I think they are hoping that they will one day have Johann in one of their classes as an undergraduate.

Filed in Education, Family, Shanti School, UCONN | Also tagged benthic, defense, laboratory notebook, microscope, oyster, Science, scientist, sediment samples, worm | Comments (3)

Sunset Classes

Sunday, September 14, 2008

Sunset Classes
Originally uploaded by eclectic echoes.

Eric’s classes started August 25. Since he was on three medications for his kidney stones, two of which have drowsiness warnings and one of which can also cause blurred vision and dizziness, Johann and I drove Eric to campus, so he could still attend classes. Eric is down to one medication, but it is the one with all three warnings. Eric is so uncomfortable at times and if he gets hit by severe pain, which can come on suddenly, I need to be there to get him home. So, we are continuing to drive Eric to the classes he feels up to. This has made life very interesting for our homeschooling.

While Eric is in class, Johann and I find a quiet place to do some of our lessons. We have chosen different places depending on the weather and availability, but our favorite place is under the willow tree by the water. The evening this picture was taken, we noticed Monarch butterflies flying around and landing on the branches. Apparently they were settling in for the night.

We aren’t getting as much done on some days as we would if we were home, but I’d rather be sure Eric is safe. We will catch up on the activities and subjects we can’t easily cover away from home later. Even once Eric is no longer sick and he doesn’t need us to accompany him, I think we will try to go in with him several times a month. At first we were trying to make the best of the situation, but now we have come to enjoy our lessons under the willow tree. We think of it as our spot and it will be strange not to go there every day when the time comes.

Filed in Education, Family, Photography, Shanti School, UCONN | Also tagged sunset, willow | Comments (1)

Earthday 2008

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

At Avery Point the Earthday celebrations were yesterday (tree planting, drum circle, giveaways of CFL lights, recycled reusable water bottles, speeches, ice cream, CT DEP demonstrations, hybrid car showings – not bad for a campus of only 500 or so people.

Since today is the more widely recognized day though… a few quick quotes / links

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtfully committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”
Margaret Mead

Rick MacPherson of Malaria, Bedbugs, Sea Lice & Sunsets will be joining Kevin Zelnio of The Other 95% and Deep Sea News, Jason Robertshaw of Cephalopodcast and Karen James of The Beagle Project Blog for part of a 24 hour long conversation about the health of our planet. Their segment starts at 2200 GMT (that’s 6pm EST).

Thanks Rick for the book. Arrived safe and sound! Very beautiful too!
Highly recommended for all!

A few other links for your perusal this morning:

EcoDaredevil

The Times Magazine Green Issue

Hattips go out to Rick, Kevin and Sheril

Update: Johann was sorta captured at the event playing football with some of the undergrads from school

$Johann at at Avery Point\'s Earthday$

Filed in Family, Misc, Science, UCONN, Web, Wildlife | Also tagged environment, Johann | Comments (0)

Fireworks and new friends

Sunday, July 9, 2006

Watching Sylvain Calzati trying for a gutsy breakaway in the Tour de France…

Last night we went down to Avery Point to watch the SailFest fireworks. The fireworks were actually a mile up river from the point and the best viewing location is historic Fort Griswold on the Groton side of the river, or Fort Trumbull from the New London side. Of course we generally try and avoid crowds and we love Avery Point so much with it’s large fields bordering the water. There were probably a hundred or so people there to watch the fireworks, but on the grounds of Avery Point it was not at all crowded.

When we arrived we found a spot of grass right on the edge of the river to watch from and Johann began running his fields. He switched between pretending he was a Brazilian striker on a fast break run down the pitch to score a goal and pretending he was a Tour de France rider in a finish line sprint. Between one of the runs as he sat down with Tammy and I he spied the man just up the coast from us smiling at him. “I was just riding in the Tour de France!” he told the man excitedly. The man smiled and replied in a European accent that had a hint of French to it “And you pronounce it so well too!”

What followed was an hour and a half of friendly conversation as we got to know a very interesting couple and they got to know us. He is an interesting character born in Eastern Europe, going back to university in Israel at the same age that I am and now, and now running a start up company in the UCONN incubator program in Storrs. He was quite taken with Johann and at least half of the time we spent talking to him was conversation between he and his wife and Johann. Tammy and I were highly complemented when he expressed that Johann was definitely on the fast track for becoming a scientist or scholar.

Just before the fireworks they presented us with his business card so that we could get together in the future for a glass of wine and conversation. I really need to get some cards printed up as I had none to present to him in return, and Tammy didn’t have hers with her. All in all it was an excellent evening with such great conversation an unexpected bonus that rivaled (and in many ways, because of the future promise eclipsed!) the magnificent fireworks show.

And Calzati took the stage!! With McEwen taking 4th and the remaining Green Jersey Points in another beautiful sprint! Great finish.

Filed in Mystic, Tour de France, UCONN | Also tagged Groton, Johann, tammy | Comments (0)

Eclectic Echoes

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