In July Simon attended a Biology Expedition with two Biology teachers from his school in Vietnam. This was a two week experience in the remote South Sulawesi region of Indonesia. His first week was in the jungle of the Buton Forest. He worked with scientists who were studying various aspects of the ecosystem. He conducted habitat surveys, bird surveys using distance sampling, patch occupancy surveys for megafauna, amphibian river night walks, and butterfly surveys. He also gathered data on bats for his IB Extended Essay and learned about harp traps and mist nets. He made a spectacular 40 meter climb to the canopy of the rainforest.
Simon's second week was at the Hoga Island Marine Research Station in the Wakatobi National Park. He spent a week diving, snorkeling in the mangroves, conducting coral reef surveys, and learning about the marine ecosystem. He visited a floating village and lived among the seakraites (the most venomous serpents on earth).
It was a two week adventure of living in very rustic conditions (sleeping in a hammock under a tarp), experiencing local culture (eating rice and fish every meal), and learning hands-on research skills (from the Operation Wallacea Research Team). Simon's biggest disappointment was that he did not see a pygmy tarsier -- the South Sulawesi is the only place on earth where these creatures live. He heard one very nearby but could not see it.....
Again this year, Tim traveled with a group of 100 Grade 9 students and teachers to northern Vietnam for a week of house-building and exploration. Like most international schools this "week without walls" is part of the curriculum to expose students to new cultures and new activities. It is also a great time of team building with a class.
Max spent most of his summer in classes on the University of Waterloo campus. His Co-Op program means that he alternates semesters between course work and job placements 12 months of the year. But in August, after exams, he took advantage of a little break and traveled to the Algonquin Park in Ontario for a camping and canoeing trip.
This has been a hard year for us because we have been separated from our beloved Max while he attends the University of Waterloo. We were all thrilled to be reunited this summer in Waterloo for 11 fun-filled days while Max was doing his summer coursework.