Mentor+Notes

March 26th Lulu - ideas person Scott - email/contact Nathan - researcher Lulu - what kind of wetland animals at Ocean Park Sonya - research wetlands park info how to get there; email scott with contact info for WEtlands and he will email them for more info Lulu - April 24th? Wetlands? Any pareent available to drive or will we take public transport? Lulu to confirm when we go Nathan - I will forward contact info for Endangered Species centre and he will email them to see if they have any appropriate information about wetland animals by tues, 2:30 all will continue to reserach thier questions on the wiki and put work up I will email scott these notes to put onto the wiki

Lulu, Scott and Nathan had some initial difficulties in explaining what their focus was actually on (I asked for clarification on whether they were focusing on the black-faced spoonbill or wetland animals, in general.) There was a variety of opinions. WHen I saw their lines of inquiry, I saw that they had a question specifically about the black-faced spoonbill, so, I realised that they were intending to focus on the spoonbill. I asked what their plans were, and they tended to focus on going to Ocean Park - but I'm not really sure they would be able to get much info about endangered WETLAND animals there. I suggested that they look into that before planning a trip there. I uploaded some links to some resources onto the CLASS wiki resources page under Wetland animals. I also uploaded some onto the WETLANDS wiki page. Was unsure which site to use. They recommended the WETLANDS wiki page. Each student had some research and things to look into for our meeting on Tuesday, March 30. We'll see what they can accomplish then. Ms. Yong

March 30

-volunteer -write letter to government to make reserves for wetland animals -group at HKA to help save wetlands - clean-up -posters, brochures to educate the public -talk to ppl at wetlands and ask what we can do to help protect Lucinda and Scott had contacted the people they were supposed to talk to. Nathan did not. (He needs to call the Endangered Species Centre to see if they have any information about endangered wetland animals and to see if it would be worth a field trip there.) Alot more research needs to be done with actual FACTS about the wetlands, the spoonbill and other animals. Lucinda has clearly read information and understands the background as to why the spoonbill is endangered. I'm not sure Scott and Nathan understand. They need to be more specific with their research questions. I have uploaded more resources and added some questions to help guide them.
 * I will try to find a contact (person) here in HK for them to interview/talk to/meet.....
 * Brainstorm about action
 * Research ideas

APRIL 1 A really great working session today! Scott, Lucinda and Nathan were all so on task! Clem advised us to work on the exhibition booklet - we talked about their roles and responsibilities for research. Clem had suggested that they split up FUNCTION (Scott), CAUSATION (Lucinda), RESPONSIBILITY (Nathan). They came up with some GREAT questions for their research. These were written down in their booklet. They will post them onto the wiki.

I have already emailed the wetlands about their volunteer program - waiting for a reply. I have emailed Dr. Billy Lau - a university professor at HKU - we found his name in an article Lucinda was reading about the spoonbills. I have also emailed the HK Bird Watching Society to see if anybody there would be available for them to interview (phone, email, in person). We will wait for a reply.

THe three of them were really keen on trying to go to the Wetlands together during the holidays. They are aiming for Saturday. Nathan is going to confirm and coordinate (to see if a parent can take them.) Scott had a GREAT idea that they could try to interview the naturalists there. I reminded them that if they want to interview, they also need to write some interview questions.

Scott had a cut-out from the newspaper today. He had a picture of the spoonbills - we found the corresponding article on the SCMP website. We printed this article off. I also printed off some information for Nathan for his research questions.

I'm looking forward to seeing their MORE DETAILED research after the break. I also expect to see pictures (and maybe videos?) from their wetland trip on Saturday.

April 27 Wow - it's been a long time since I've updated this. The group is really coming together - they have been to the wetlands (last week) and managed to interview ppl from the HKBW society. Two weeks ago, Scott and Nathan sent out emails to the WWF and the HKBW Society. We got an email back from the WWF. THey also sent a really great fact sheet that we printed off.

Last meeting, Lucinda focused on writing a letter to the government. We worked on the outline and the main points she wanted to make. Scott and Nathan worked on creating a poster to help raise awareness. Scott's homework was to create an origami bird with eggs and nest. Nathan's job was to finish the posters.

Today Nathan is not here. Lucinda has finished her letter (CLem helped to edit it.). Scott has been working really hard and created a video and logo. I advised that he focuses on the Wetland Animals - not all animals. He is editing the video and logo now. Lucinda is working on making a larger/life-size black-faced spoonbill.

May 11 Wow - time is a ticking! These guys have worked so hard over the past few weeks and really got their things together. They all have different things they were responsible for. Amazing to see their TWO models of the black-faced spoonbill, their posters (volunteer program, title and info poster).