It's hard to believe that in three short days I'll be on my way to Kenya!  

I'm excited to be taking gently used Children's Books with me that have been donated by our students to help learners a world away!  Thank you for your thoughtfulness.  If you're still eager to participate be sure to bring in your books before noon on Thursday.

During the past week I've had a chance to share our itinerary with students and Science Department colleagues using a Google Earth tour that gives viewers the sense that they're flying from location to location.  Students will have a chance to use this technology themselves during this school year.  I've also received my Visa to visit Kenya, have been organizing my travel gear, and materials that students will use at Beaver River while I'm away.  I'm excited to welcome Mr. Glendon Widrick to my classroom where he'll again be gifting BRCS students with quality education.

Our work will find us at the Mpala Research Center and the Oj Pejeta Conservancy learning everything that we can about linking the work of researchers there, with students in New York State.  We'll also meet with the mapping expert at the Green Belt movement.  We hope to inspire students to use emerging communication technologies like this blog, and GIS mapping skills to make their study of biodiversity especially meaningful both locally and globally.

So...let me share a few "short and sweet" details...

• Kenya is a little bigger than twice the size of Nevada
• The official languages of Kenya are Swahili and English, and they drive on the left hand side of the road.
• Some of the largest endangered species call this area of Sub-Saharan Africa, home
• We'll get to cross the equator several times on this trip.  Ask students who will study the Coriolis Effect what that means...

Check back here every couple of days.  I hope to be able to keep you updated throughout our experience.   M. Watkins

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