Farm Trail

Oct 3, 2015

Few students from the club were lucky to visit Annadana and understand farming and seed preservation,while having fun.Low cost farming aids like biodigestor,vermicompost,pest control (by placing a phermone attractor that traps female insects that damage crops) were explained by the resource persons - Ms.Prithi,Ms.Sudha and Ms.Padma.Raised beds,transplantation,green manure were also explained in detail.Students watched videos on seed biodiversity and the significance of conserving seeds.It was an enriching experience.
Annadana provides cottage facilities to stay and learn farming essentials,kitchen gardening,organic culinary and workshops on specific topics of interest.Please see : http://annadana-india.org/
and http://www.soilandsoul.in/ for interesting and fun ways to explore and learn a lot about Nature.

Biodiversity Session

What is biodiversity?Why is it important ?Is biodiversity required only for man to exist?Is man really the supreme creation of Nature?These were discussed in class with several instances of associations seen in the natural world.Students were encouraged to think of what they see and observe.

Mix of Sessions :)

These are the journal notes of the last few sessions .Happy journaling and keep writing - it will only get better and you will enjoy too :)

Citizen Science Program

Dear Students

This is a Citizen Science Program and involves both technology and field work.

Steps for registrations are

1. Interested schools register themselves on
http://www.inaturewatch.org/login.php
You can register as a student.

2. Download mobiles apps from http://goo.gl/NWvHYb, datasheets from
http://www.inaturewatch.org/how-to-collectdata.php

3. Watch project orientation video
http://youtu.be/6u5xbtBfgZE?list=UUlcmncnqEQtD23NWxXZNWow

Mapping Invasive Species

Dear Students

Please visit this link,if you are interested to participate in an exciting activity to spot and report invasive species of plants.

http://indiabiodiversity.org/group/spotting_alien_invasive_species/show

July 25 Session

The session on Zentangles by Neha Ma'am and on upcycling by Raji Ma'am were enjoyable and informative.Here are samples of the students' works :

Dear Students

Please bring the following materials for the July 25 - Saturday session.Please do not misuse the items you bring for the art session.Keep your things carefully.Have fun in a responsible way :)

Materials for the Art Session on July 25 – Saturday
First Session on ZenTangles
1.Journal
2.Black gel pen or CD writing pen black
3.Shading pencils - HB, 2B,4B,6B,8B
4.Scale
5. Compass
6. Handmade paper A4 size  (any light color)
Second Session on Up cycling
(Note : most items can be found at any hardware store. If you are prone to allergies,please get gloves and face masks if possible)
1.Any small kabadi item like a tea kettle, small pail, tongs...anything that can be restored and reused.
2. Rag cloths – 2-3
3. Water
4. Turpentine
5. Primer
6. Oil based emulsion paints in standard colours (found at any hardware stores, 25 ml tins of asian paints)
7. A range of brushes (thin to wide)
8. Old newspapers (for covering work surface)
9.  2 small plastic containers to hold water and turpentine (to wash/clean brushes)
10.Sandpaper – 1 sheet

Sensing our senses

This session helps children connect to the basic elements of Nature - by seeing,smelling,feeling,hearing and talking.Students were asked to remove their shoes and close their eyes.They were asked to feel the soil under the feet,feel the breeze on their face and listen to sounds that were near and far.They then touched natural objects that were lying around - like leaf,pebble.
The students thoroughly enjoyed this activity as it was relaxing and invigorating.Here are few sample journal entries :