Global Kids' Digital Media Initiative

Today was the second day of the " I Dig Tanzania" intensive summer camp that Global Kids is running with the Field Museum in Chicago.  Today our intrepid groups of 16 teens in New York and Chi-town had a number of challenging tasks that we set out for them to make progress on their virtual fossil dig. You can read their own impressions of the day from their blog posts on Holymeatballs.org.

Here's my quick recap of the highlights...

The day began with more singing and language practice in Swahili, which the kids seemed to like.  Dominique did a great job of getting everyone pumped for the day.  Or maybe it was the fresh fruit and baguettes that he brought for everyone.

The most exciting part of the day was the actual fossil digging.  To accomplish this, we had expert builder Amulius Lioncourt (aka Midnight Sun on the Teen Grid) create a fairly complicated set of tools for unearthing the fossils that the teens had to wear on their avatars to get to the fossils.  Not only did the teens have to work together to cover the large area of their dig sites, they had to figure out the proper order of tools to use to not damage the fossils. 

After finding a set of fossils, the teens got another chance to interact with the team of real life fossil hunters finishing their dig in Tanzania (hence the name.)  The kids asked a number of really great questions, from how the scientists chose their tools to how many pieces of fossil do they need to find to identify a particular animal.  After collecting a large set of questions, I talked to several of the researchers over Skype, which we streamed into Second Life so the teens could listen in.

Then the teens returned to the task of preparing the virtual fossils that they found.  To do this, we showed them a video of how fossils are "stabilized" by paleontologists with a glue-like solution so that they can be transported safely. 

Then the teens had to mix their own stabilizing solution using several possible ingredients set out on a work table.  If they chose the right combination of ingredients, they were given a brush to treat their virtual fossils.

This is probably sounding pretty complicated at this point, but the kids really seemed to enjoy the tasks.  And they were rewarded with shiny white "stabilized" fossils instead of the dingey brown ones that they had unearthed.

One of the toughest tasks of the day was learning how scientists classify the various forms of life using phylogenic charts -- maps of the evolutionary path of various creatures.  The teens had to learn what a "synapsid" class of animal is, and create a sign describing a particular synapsid.  Although this was quite a challenge for a number of our teens, they worked very hard on their task and produced some neat signs.

To close the day, we did a fun fishing exercise to teach them about Lake Victoria, the largest lake in Africa that borders Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania.  The kids got to pick up virtual fishing rods and "go fish" in a lake that Amulius set up for them.  Various kinds of fish, from tilapia to pike to Nile perch were caught by the teens in various quantities, to show how certain species have come to dominate the lake due to the introduction of non-indigenous species. 

Such a rich and amazing day!  Big kudos to my colleagues Shawna and Dominique for being such great educators -- particularly Shawna who soldiered through today despite having a nasty cold.  And the Field Museum staff Johanna, Krystal, Kate, Andy and the rest were awesome today.  And thanks to the Global Kids staff for being supportive and understanding as we took over the entire kitchen area of the office today.

Only two more days of camp left!

Posted by Rik at 11:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I think an important aspect to describe a specific fossils is describing there bones, body structures, teeth and nails. I expect a fossil to have these features because without it, survival for them would've been a lost quicker from lack of defense.

S I think we, as humans, should be less ignorant about the environment and appreciate it a lot more. By this, we can prevent animal preventions and even extinction of an animal.

Posted by VVP Jin at 11:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

In our teams we asked each other questions, and each of us made sure every job was done. Yes I would say we are more efficient as a team, because if one person couldn’t do something, someone else would either step in and help, or take over while the other person did something else. Plus we could get our stuff completed sooner. The important things that seemed to stand out when classifying is the bone structures, and parts. No I don’t think ours appeared to have ever has feathers because ours had web like feet which suggests an amphibian and amphibians- and most reptiles don’t have feathers. To prevent major conflict, and current extinction, the government could make sure the ecosystems are balanced and healthy at the same time so the species currently there could survive, and others as well, along with solving the under population.

-Jessica

Posted by Jessica P. at 5:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I think most of our group worked well together today, I think we were more efficient as a team than yesterday because we know each other better than we did before.
The features that seem more important when classifying a fossil are the ones that set them apart from other groups. For instance, it would be important to tell if an animal was either a synapsid or a reptile, that way you would know who their ancestors were and can classify them into a time period. I think once we have a few more identifying features, and have our fossils completely put together, it will be easier to tell what exactly our fossil is.

Since we are the most dominant force on this planet, we have the power to easily reverse the mass extinction we are causing. Of course this means that we have to use great effort on our part, which many people may be unwilling to do. We also have the power to help the conflicts in other countries, especially us here in the US, since we have a powerful influence over the world. We can easily help out places that have made mistakes such as adding the Nile Tilapia to Lake Victoria. We have the power to help them fix and reverse problems like these.

Posted by Jessica K. at 5:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

We could easily make categories for the fossils, but we haven't made anything yet. And it would be a lot of work and skill to make them branch correctly as well. If we were to simply leave nature as it is and do our own stuff on our own, we would be a lot better off. It seems that everything that we've done has had a negative effect. I think we need to plan out a lot better, and think of the natural world and how we will collide.

Posted by Alex L. at 5:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Our group work was pretty good. Jess did a great job on making the posters. Thein helped us a lot to find out information. Group work was very efficient for the team. Many animals and mammals are being extinct. Humans are causing this extinctions in many ways. They are killing animals and cutting up forest, that are causing many animal extinctions. Extinction of animals will affect people many ways. We are going to have food shortages.

Posted by Sabina R. at 5:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Today I learned a lot about teamwork, second life and different types of dinosaurs. I think that humans have a lot to do with mass extinctions. We've been burning too many fossil fuels, this disrupts our ecology. Certain people don't realize how their actions are disturbing our daily lives. We definitely have to stop bringing species that are not native to Lake Victoria. the only outcome of this situation is conflict.

Posted by Beatriz N. at 5:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The important feature of the description of our fossils were how big the animal was, how tall, whether it is a reptile or a mammal, or where the animal is warm-blooded or cool blooded. I expect my fossil to be a warm-blooded animal because it has the characteristics of a mammal. There were many important features but finding out exactly what type of animal we have is very difficult.
Because of the pollution animals are affected and also the economy. The major cause for pollution is humans. To help reduce conflict humans could be more clean and try to recycle. Humans should also try to help the environment, so that we would not be extinct. By corrupting the environment with garbage humans are causing the sixth mass extinction. We can also raise awareness around the world about this issue. Also we can probably make movies of what will happen if we help our environment and what will happen if we do not help our environments.
In any event today was a fun day. We went fishing, we dug, we painted, and we watched a lot of videos. I enjoyed today can’t wait for tomorrow.

Posted by Tarana L. at 5:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

How did your team work as a group today? Are you more or less efficient as a team? Explain. Just like you all had different categories for organizing your music, different scientists focus on different features as being important to categorizing the animals they discover. What features seem important to the describing of your fossil? Do you expect your fossil to have these features? Why or why not? Scientists today worry about extinctions occurring. We know that the current mass extinction is human caused. Based upon what we learned during our fishing activity, what human behaviors can we change to have a positive affect on not only the current extinction but also in reducing conflicts between countries? Why?

Today's activities were highly team based and I felt that we all benefited from that aspect. We worked really well once we got past the awkwardness of completing an objective cooperatively through chat. As a team, more information was allocated and constructed more effectively, so we were much more efficient than if we had done the objective individually. As a team an enjoyable activity was the digging up of the fossil. The features that are helpful in classifying the fossil include bone size/density and structure. As a starting point, structure is the simplest and most informative for researchers. Structure is often highly related to function and can also allude to evolutionary divergences or similarities.
In talking about extinction I feel that there are certain behaviors we can take in order to prevent such a fate. The mass extinction of our day is said to be caused by Humans, with one cause being global warming. Certain programs aimed at correcting this problem are in fact underway. These programs include the Kyoto Protocol which aims at instating a mandatory reduction in fossil fuel usage in the next five years. Sadly though, the U.S. is not totally convinced and has not completely signed onto the pact. This move doesn't necessarily mean that we are stubborn and unwilling to change, but it is more due to the fact that economically this plan will take a heavy toll through investment in newer energy sources. Often times it is difficult to change even if the long run looks better than the current situation. The problem of Global Warming demonstrates that success can only be achieved in unison by all parties. More impressive than the Protocol's goal, is its reach across national borders, an issue that will be seen in the spotlight throughout the next generation.
Along with global warming as a cause of extinction, other trends also lead to threatening conditions for animals. We need to be aware of our animal and human neighbors and give them the respect they deserve. It requires cooperation by both parties and a mediator, such as the government, to solve such issues. One thing that can be done is the implementation of restrictions and sanctioning by an institution such as the United Nations. All around us the world seems at the tip of collapse. The Civil Wars of Africa, Israeli Conflict, Tibetan Situation, Iraq War, and other human struggles require immediate resolution. But the issues involved in these struggles are so complicated that the issue of human equality is difficult to define. These problems, however difficult to address, require solutions in order to guarantee the success of human and animal species in the future.

Posted by Anil V. at 5:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Today our team worked great. We were finding information and sharing it with each other. Every one had a part today and all interacted well. We are more efficient as a team. I also noticed that Alicia is very smart. Some features that seem important as to the describing of our fossils are the way they are shaped and the size of each as well as the formation that it took. I expect our fossils seem to have these characteristics because even though some fossils seemed familiar, they were different in a variety of ways. Human behaviors that we can change to have a positive effect are, the effects of consuming more can be reduced in order to maintain a healthy eco-system as well as increasing the awareness level of the humans that inhabit the area. Reducing conflicts between countries can be maintained if they would somehow provide an equal system between the countries so that they each have a same amount and that the countries can all provide from the product.

Posted by Justin A. at 5:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The features of my fossil that seem important are all the features which can narrow the field in which I am looking for the animal. For example, going from Kingdom to Phylum to Class, ect. Whatever can help me narrow the field is a useful trait to me. Some human behaviors we can change to result in less extinction is to stop introducing animals they are not native to. This will result in less unbalance in nature to stop affecting countries and such.

Posted by Alex L. at 5:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I am sad to say that my team did not work hard like we should had because today we were a little off today but other then that we still got our work done which was what had to be done. we are more efficient as a team because we put our idea together and get to working which mean that we get our work done faster. The features seem important to the describing of our fossil because by looking at it we were able to see how big it was and also we were able to tell that it was a animal that had far. I expect the fossil to be a reptile but once we look and observation the fossil more we saw that it may not be a reptile. So no I did not expect the fossil to have the features of a synapsed. If humans behaviors can be change to a positive one, it will make a lot of changes because then maybe people will stop fighting with each other .Also can help with the extinction of animals because then people will be constuil about not killing animals more then they have to and try not to do pollution.

Catherine

Posted by Catherine B. at 5:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

As a group my team worked pretty good. We spent awhile trying to figure out who is going to do what, but after that each person contributed and we got the job done. We goofed a little but we got serious and did it. I think we're better as a group. I think it is important to know what piece of fossil we have, for example a toe or a ear. Knowing what you have makes it easier to know what you are putting together and how. People should eat more fruit and vegetables. This will put some kind of dent in the extinction of these animals. Also if possible start to recycle, many animals die because of the waste that is being thrown in the sea, which is toxic, if we recycle we can reduce all of this

Posted by Vanessa F. at 5:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Working with my team today proved to be easy going. I think we all know what needs to get done and we try to focus on coordinating the tasks to complete them efficiently. The fact that four people are working together is not a problem at all. As my group and I examined the fossil we saw that the features helped us in our attempt to identify not only that its synapsid, but what class inside the cladogram it may be in

I think the most interesting thing we talked about this afternoon involved the effects humans have had on the progression of organisms’ development today; especially with Lake Victoria. I think the first way to change or improve the persistent problems of climate change, drought, over fishing, is to realize that they cross boundaries. Sometimes when we think of the United Nations, we think of war, but there are four more letters we should also consider: m,i,n,g. Global WarMING. The UN needs (and it has) to help countries improve the relations with each other to have a multinational plan to confront these issues that cross boundaries. As the example we say today showed however, the years of war, tribal conflict, and poverty may prove to much of a deterrent on that most important anecdote.

Posted by Alicia N. at 5:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

How did you team work as a group? More or less efficient. We work as a group better because we can work with each other better and was able to assign different tasks more easily.

What features seem important to the describing of your discovering. What features seem important to the describing of your fossils? Do you expect your fossil to have these features? Why or Why not?
The description of whether or not the fossils are reptiles or amphibian and determine the traits of the fossils.

What human behaviors can we change to have a positive affect on not only the current extinction but also in reducing conflicts between countries? Why?
Become more mindfully of the environment and take into consideration the effects of our action on the environment.

Posted by VVP Thein at 5:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Our group worked very well as a group. I think we are more efficient as a group because first of all it takes less time to complete the task because more than one person is working on it and because you don’t have to work alone and have to always do everything by yourself. This helps because you don’t have all the pressure to do the task by yourself and because you can have help with ideas instead of thinking of everything on your own. When you have more than one person it benefits you because it makes a better result when you have many minds working together.

Features that I think are important to identifying the fossils are how the bodies are shaped (their structure), and different features in the bones such as how they look and fit together. I do expect my fossils to have specific feature because all animals have certain features that separate them from different species. Depending on the species their bones will fit together certain ways, their bodies will have different structures and their will be variations in their bones.

Since humans are causing the current extinction we should do something to help. To help make a positive change we can recycle, reserve and do other actions to prevent pollution to our earth. We can also use chemical-free products to help our environment. In order to help conflicts between countries and other opposing groups, we can try to be more understanding and see the other side of the story. This will help people come up with solution that will benefit everyone and prevent violence.

Posted by Olivia B. at 5:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

First we watched a video on how to brush and use tools properly. Next we had to dig. In my group I had to dig. There were many tasks within the group such as field reporters, photographer, and researcher. Digging was a lot of fun. I think I found all the fossils for my group. I think we should dig more often. After that, we all went back to the campfire and we watched another video of one of the scientists.
For digging in different places we had to use different tools. The shovel was helpful for digging into the dirt and the rock hammer was helpful for getting the fossils. If we did not have the correct tools then we could not dig. It was important for us to use the correct tool or else we would hurt the fossils. I want to know, did anyone take pictures? How was the process of digging for my team mates? Did you guys find anything?

Posted by Tarana L. at 12:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The tools were very helpful, while excavating. Without the tools there was no way we could’ve accomplish our goal. I’m still confused about excavating fossils. How do know which site is best to dig on. What are some obstacles while digging? How are Archaeologists positive that certain fossils belong to a particular animal? If my fossil belongs to a dinosaur then it roamed Earth around the Mezosoic Era. How are Archaeologists able to date fossils?

Posted by Beatriz N. at 12:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Today’s workshops was…interesting lol. Very different from what I usually do on second life. Saturday we collected a tool box, at first I wasn’t sure what we were doing to do with it, but today we finally took those bad boys out and started to dig. All tools seemed to be helpful, except for my hammer which was basically a triangle on a stick. Lol. Some questions I would ask the scientists now that I have experienced some kind of fossil digging is…how do they do it. I found myself getting a little frustrated and impatient, and I already knew there were fossils there. So how does it feel when you spend all day digging and found nothing? ☹

Some thought I have is that its probably going to be hard to start to put all the fossils together. Especially on second life, but in real life it has to be even harder.

Posted by Vanessa F. at 12:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Most of the tools were very helpful in the excavation process because some of the rocks were bigger and harder, so they needed to be broken up by larger tools such as the shovel, and some were more fragile and could be just brushed away.

I am sure that excavating in real life is much harder and more tedious than SL digging, I would like to know a brief overview of the digging process, (how long it takes, etc). The hypothesis I am starting to develop is that the majority of these finds came from the largest mass extinction period. I hope to learn about how to determine a species based on a few simple bones and hope to learn whether or not this species was from the time I assume it is.

Posted by Jessica K. at 12:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Each tool was helpful in the process of excavating the fossils because each tool was for a specific purpose. The shovel for larger surface area and the chisel for smaller rocks.Questions that I still have for the team in Tanzania are: During your work did you happen to stumble across another animal that you were not aware about? If so was there any significant reason why that animal must have been placed there? Why are the fossils small and why are most fossils similar? How can you distinguish the difference between a land or sea animal is the question I have about the species type.

Posted by Justin A. at 12:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Today is our first of digging for fossils. It was pretty exciting. We had to use different kinds of tools. To remove the rocks we used shovel and rockhammer. The rockhammer didn"t work for some of the rocks, therefore we used the shovel. My team was really helpful for digging process.I was a little confused about the map thumbtacks, so my question is how to use the map thumbtacks. We found about 16 fossil. Its really hard to say which species they are. We found some parts such as bones.

Posted by Sabina R. at 12:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

How was each of the tools helpful in the process of excavating the fossils?
Different tools aided in the various process needed to recover the fossils, the basic steps are to remove the dirt with the shovel, use stone hammer to break the rock, then use while using water to soften the dirt, use different size chisel, then finally use brush to recover the fossil.

What questions for the team based upon your recent experience?
Is there more tools involved in recovering the fossils then the ones we are using now.

What hypotheses have you started to develop about your find?
My first guess would be that it is a land animal due to it's hand shape. Other than that it was probably not that big as a Rex.

What questions do you still have about how to determine the species?
The various characteristic of the species so we can determine which species it is.

Posted by VVP Thein at 12:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

How was each of the tools helpful in the process of excavating the fossils? What questions do you have for the team based upon your recent experience? What hypotheses have you started to develop about your find? What questions to you still have about how to determine the species?

For Paleontologists, tools are always close at hand. In order to uncover and document fossils they must first uncover them, doing so with a shovel, chisel, brush, and pick. While I was out digging the shovel was the only thing that worked to reveal the primary topsoil, which led to the harder more dense rock material. This type of rock requires the use of a chisel requiring the utmost precision. Once uncovered it is a joy to finally witness the fruit of all your labors: a million year old dinosaur bone.
After uncovering absolutely no dinosaur bones I think the questions I would have for the team would be how they deal with the disappointment of not finding a bone they desperately sought for. This feeling is common everywhere when people devote immense effort into accomplishing something but find that they were using the wrong approach and fail to find what they were looking for. What a bummer! I guess the only advice for this is to move on and pursue future endeavors, and when that goal is finally achieved, how sweeter it will be!
My hypotheses on the bones my team found are still highly scattered, like a puzzle. We believe it is from an animal that lived during the permian age based on our research. Hopefully, we'll be surprised when we find that it is actually a tyrannosaur.
The only question I still have about determining the species is differentiating between species that look so closely alike that it is seemingly impossible to tell whether the bones belong to a dimetrodan and a tricphelodon (I made those names up).

Posted by Anil V. at 12:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

We haven't had time to check out the species yet. I was busy going through all of the dirt and trying to get the fossils out. It was fun, but I didn't like the fact that all I had to do was tap the dirt. I didn't have to do the digging motion or anything what's up with that!

Posted by Mohammad E. at 12:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

How was each of the tools helpful in the process of excavating the fossils? Each tool had a different role to play. The shovel was to remove the chunks of dirt, and the stone hammer removed the fossil from the stone.

What questions for the team based upon your recent experience? Some of the questions I want to ask the Tanzania project are; What is the basic process of digging up a fossils, What is the average timing to dig a fossil and how does it feel to discover a lost unknown.

What hypothesis have you started to develop about your find? What questions do you still have about how to determine the species? The hypothesis I developed is that the fossils will form into a mammal of some sort. Some questions that could still be asked are: What are the bone structures? Is there any beak or mouth structure?

Posted by VVP Jin at 12:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

n the process of digging for fossils, each tool was used for a specific function and helped my group recover the fossils. For example, after removing the dirt with our shovels, we would break apart the rocks with our rock hammers, revealing a fossil or nothing. After this we would proceed to pour water on the fossil and chip smaller and smaller bits of rock off the fossil, until all we had to do is brush off the dust and take it into our inventory.

In the process of digging for fossils, each tool was used for a specific function and helped my group recover the fossils. For example, after removing the dirt with our shovels, we would break apart the rocks with our rock hammers, revealing a fossil or nothing. After this we would proceed to pour water on the fossil and chip smaller and smaller bits of rock off the fossil, until all we had to do is brush off the dust and take it into our inventory. Based on this recent experience, I would ask the team in Tanzania what other precautions have to be taken before excavating a fossil, besides wetting it. At the current moment, my only hypothesis about the find is that it is a dinosaur from the Permian or Triassic period. To reveal the species my group and I will have to put the fossil back together and observe specific traits from the bones. All said in done, this workshop has been the most fun I have had in TSL yet.

Posted by Alex L. at 12:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The tools were helpful in the process of excavating the fossils because we were able to use them to look for our fossil but we had to be careful because not all tools work for the same thing. Also the tools help big time by making it way easier. If I were to ask the team in Tanzania questions based upon my recent experience, I would ask how many fossil have they found comparing to how many our group find in our dig. The hypotheses that I have started to develop about my find is that there kind of old because of the color and how the texture looks on each fossil. The questions that I still have about how to determine the species is how can you know what type of species it is by looking at it? Is there some type of pattern you have to look at to determine what species it is? However it was a great experience to learn because its not everyday that we go to dig for fossils. So in other words I had a great time digging for fossils.

Catherine

Posted by Catherine B. at 12:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This morning my team began to excavate our field. We soon began to confront the problems that many paleontologists confront as they try to dig far enough into to matrix while still being mindful of the fact that delicate fossils are being unearthed as well. So keeping that in mind we, I concluded after some tinkering what tool were needed for each step. A chisel was inappropriate for breaking the ground, but the shovel was, for example. So there was a hierarchy in the tools found in our boxes.

Additionally, the water bottles acted as aides in assisting us softening the soil to examine closer the fossils. I think after working with the tools in the program, I would ask the scientist working in Tanzania if they have even more specialized tools than we were presented with. Additionally, although this was not a problem in our excavation, how much of a factor is the pH of the soil in the area that they are working in? Does knowing that it is acidic or basic play a factor in how delicately they approach the project? Furthermore, is time of the day a mitigating factor or not? Because ground is usually more wet (dew) in the morning.
Based on the little information we’ve been presented from the actual scientist via video and phone and also from the coordinators, I suspect that these fossils are from the Permian era around 250-80 million years ago. As well, I think that will we soon see the features of the actual fossils provide us evidence that they are in fact synapsid animals. As to the whether they are more reptile or mammal like would be something to ask the Tanzanian scientists.

Posted by Alicia N. at 12:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

During this activity we used many different types of tools, from chisels to water bottles. Each tool has a specified job and helps us complete each task without harming the fossil. Working with the many different tools was a good way to help us understand the real process of finding fossils. I now know you have to use many different tools with varied sizes each helping you accomplish a different task.

During this activity we used many different types of tools, from chisels to water bottles. Each tool has a specified job and helps us complete each task without harming the fossil. Working with the many different tools was a good way to help us understand the real process of finding fossils. I now know you have to use many different tools with varied sizes each helping you accomplish a different task. Finding fossils is an ongoing process of chiseling away access rock and softening the soil around it, to reveal more of the fossil, then again removing more access rock. Out of this experience my only question would be how do they keep track of what tools they need to use when and in what specific circumstances they need to use those tools? I would ask this question because even on a virtual dig where it gives you hints on what to do next (use small chisel, put water etc.) I still found it hard to stay organized and know what tool I was supposed to use next. I was also wondering if variations in the species can cause you to need to use different tools for each species.

My hypothesis on my find is that most of the fossils I found were fossils of aquatic species. I say this because most of the fossils I found had long body parts resembling tentacles from modern aquatic species. For example one fossil looked like it could be related to modern day squids. I am still wondering if there are certain characteristics for different species and time periods that can help me identify the fossils.

Posted by Olivia B. at 12:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

One highlight of the first day of the "I Dig Tanzania" summer camp was a group activity where our teens in New York and the teens in Chicago got to sing a well-known Swahili song together called the "Jambo Song." GK trainer Dominique did a great job leading the two "choirs" virtually from both locations, and kids on both ends seemed to really enjoy the singing!

I'm looking forward to the teens coming together in Chicago next month to sing together in person!

Posted by Rik at 1:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Definitely I have to say my favorite part of the day - not that losing internet connection wasn't really, terribly exciting - was singing in Swahili! Check us out, we're ready for the international stage!

Posted by Johanna T. at 7:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Here is the audio file of a conversation between Rik from Global Kids and Roger, Ken and Christian -- part of the multinational team of researchers in Tanzania looking for ancient fossils. The questions were submitted by teens in Chicago and New York participating in the "I Dig Tanzania" summer camp.

Posted by Rik at 6:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I really enjoyed working with my teammates. I think the best part about working with them was being able to meet new people. Also I thought it was really cool how we were working right next to each other in this virtual world, but in the real world we were in two different states! I liked meeting all these new people, and I think this was a great experience. One specific topic I enjoyed today was mass extinction. I learned about the mass extinctions, how they occurred and why.

I really enjoyed working with my teammates. I think the best part about working with them was being able to meet new people. Also I thought it was really cool how we were working right next to each other in this virtual world, but in the real world we were in two different states! I liked meeting all these new people, and I think this was a great experience. One specific topic I enjoyed today was mass extinction. I learned about the mass extinctions, how they occurred and why. I though it was very interesting to learn how our earth evolved, and all the different stages it has gone through. One thing about this topic that thought was very interesting was that our world in is mass extinction #6. I learned that the five previous mass extinctions have all been naturally caused, either by the earth flooding, the earth drying up or other natural disasters. But mass extinction #6 is the only extinction that has been caused by humans. We have caused so much pollution that global warming and climate change is starting to be very evident in our habitat. Humans have brought such a change to the ecosystem and it makes me wonder about the future of our earth.

Monday seems like it is going to be very fun and interesting. The thing I am looking forward to the most is the dig. I wan to do the dig because I think it will be interesting to do a dig based off of what archeologists are doing on the other side of the world in Tanzania. I find this whole second life experience so interesting and think the dig will be lots of fun!

Posted by Olivia B. at 5:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

It was real cool being able to chat with other teens in New York because it’s not like we get to do it everyday. The cool thing about being able to meet my team mates was that I got to work with them in a group and it was real cool. A cool thing that I learn while working with my group was the time in New York. Also I learn two true things about them and one false thing because as a group we all play a game. Today I learn a real cool that was how you can become a fossil. It was real interesting how it show us what happens to a fossil. It was crazy how a fossil is hard to find because since it is cover deep under ground so deep. I found that real interesting. I can’t wait for Monday cause it workshop 2 and also I can’t wait to learn something new.

Catherine

Posted by Catherine B. at 5:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The best part of meeting my teammates was …..Meeting them. It’s fun to meet new people and getting to work with them on projects, and just get to know them. And in the activities we it was great to have a little help from them. Today I learned some more Swahili. I have already learned some a while ago, and learning more or any new language is always fun for me. Being a paleontologist sounds like a great and exciting. I have always wanted to be one, or be in a profession very similar to that of one. Traveling around the world, using equipment, the outdoors, actually finding history….EVERYTHING is what I wish I could do someday. I’m just excited to come back and do the virtual dig.

-Jessica

Posted by Jessica P. at 5:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

It was really great to know the people from Chicago. This is my first time talking to people from Chicago, so it was a great experience for me. We had fun getting to know about each other. I thought all the teens from Chicago would be in high school, but after taking to Sam I found out he is still in junior high. One of the topic I liked was Tanzania Evolution. It talks about survival of the fittest, adaptation, natural selection, and others. I am really excited about Monday. I can’t wait to learn more about fossils from scientists in Tanzania and stuff.

Posted by Sabina R. at 5:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The best thing about meeting my teammates is getting to know them. It was interesting to see the conditions and how a fossil is made over such a long time period. I also learned some new things about fossils while watching that video. I found the Mass Extinctions in Earth’s history to be the most interesting thing I learned about today. I think it is amazing to see how even though the majority of Earth’s life was wiped out life found a way, and began thriving again. The most exciting thing I am looking forward to on Monday is the fact that the dig will finally begin and I will no longer be in anticipation.

Posted by Alex L. at 5:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The best part about meeting my teammates is that I learned new things about them and made new friends. Also we helped each other in various activities.

The activity that struck me most is the one with the puzzle, because it was the most difficult and the only one I could not complete. At first I thought it was a map but it turned out to be some sort of pattern.

I’m excited about the new things that we will be doing on Monday and finally digging some fossils and unearthing the dead.

Posted by VVP Thein at 5:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Its always very exciting to meet new people especially if you know that someday you'll be given the opportunity to meet that person. I've never used Second life as a form of communication. The experience was wonderful. I learned many things. I learned how to navigate on second life and a bit of Swahili and the culture of Tanzania. I'm excited because I'm aware that Monday i will learn more stuff about Second Life, hopefully my knowledge will increase about this software.

Posted by Beatriz N. at 5:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I thought the best part of meeting my teammates were meeting new people, and experiencing collaboration from two different locations. I got new costumes from my teammate, and learned “interesting” things I haven’t known before. I wasn’t surely clear that fossils are formed from minerals from the sea. I also learned a new language, a native song from it, Swahili. I am excited about further working with my teammates, digging up fossils in second life, and learning more about Tanzania.

Posted by VVP Jin at 5:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I enjoy meeting new people so being able to meet and interact with new teammates was a great experience. It was good to meet the people we will be working with on the dig beforehand to get to know them a little better.

I got to learn a little bit more about mass extinctions today, which helped me to learn about the time period that the Paleontologists in Tanzania are dealing with. Learning about the world before Pangaea was very interesting, and I hope to learn more about it. I have several more questions regarding Earth’s geologic timeline, including time periods and land formations. Since I want to become a Paleontologist I hope I learn as much about fossils and Earth’s history as I can. Can’t wait to dig up some fossils on Monday!

Posted by Jessica K. at 5:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I’m exhausted and they want me to blog! My body can’t take this too well as I was getting a bit sick today, so I look forward to Monday, because it’s Monday not Sunday. Fossils seem like something completely annoying, they have to be in a good place to get in the ground before it’s eaten. Then spend a long time in the ground, then if were lucky we will find it. I’m lucky a lot of times, but I don’t think this is a good percentage here.

Posted by Mohammad E. at 5:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)