Learning Curve

The Discovery Student Adventures China travels have ended and our team is homeward bound. Following the posts, both students’ and teachers’ blogs, tweets, photos, and videos was a joy and an education in making connections and building global citizenship.

Guest bloggers: Brett Harvey and the Discovery Student Adventures team.

Making Connections

Saturday, August 15, 2009

What has stood out more than anything on our China trip is the students’ strong desire to connect with other people. They wanted to know the people we encountered whether it was our tour guides, the Shaolin monks or classroom children at kung fu school. At our next to last dinner the kids were thrilled when the young monks and school instructors ate with us. More than anything they enjoyed finding common ground. They also learned how life is different. Truly a rewarding experience for me as a teacher.
Posted by Harv at 11:30 AM

Discovery Student Adventures China ‘09

Friday, August 14, 2009

Posted by Discovery Student Adventures at 10:30 PM

Discovery Student Adventures Travel
China
#dsac09
Brett Harvey
Discovery Student Adventures Team
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Re-posted from Adam Controy’s Discovery Student Adventures Travel blog from the Shaolin Temple, China. Would practice make a perfect performance in front of the Shao Lin Temple Martial Arts students and Shaolin Temple Warrior Monks? Read Adam’s post to understand what they were celebrating.

Kudos to Team China! We worked incredibly hard over the past three days preparing for our kung fu performance at the Shaolin Temple. The group was told on Tuesday that we would perform in front of students from the Shao Lin Martial Arts School and Warrior Monks. That was all the motivation Discovery Students and Teachers needed. We had to perform with precision and perfect execution. Would we succeed?

Two days into preparation it became apparent that kung fu is a lot easier than it looks. Many of us could of used a hot tub and a good masseuse. Trying to memorize the routine was like cramming for an economics test at the last minute. Not easy! Mr. Harvey and some boys were found in the lobby with a digital camera going through each step with the master trainer as they watched on video. You could observe many students and teachers off to the side practicing their form as they waited for their rotation. To complicate matters, some of our trainers were Shao Lin Temple Martial Arts students and some were Shaolin Temple Warrior Monks. The routine was similar, however some rights became lefts and some kicks became punches. (BTW, say “Warrior Monks” out loud… then add the words “Kung Fu.” Sounds so cool!)

Half way through the process, Mama Ping recognized that Team China needed a break. She arranged a performance from some of the students at the school. Their discipline and execution were flawless. The students at the Shao Lin Temple of Martial Arts put on a show that both impressed and energized Discovery Students and Teachers! Thank you Mama Ping. Would ten total hours of training, hard work, sweat and patience pay off?

On the final day of kung fu training we received our Certificate of Shaolin Kung Fu Experience. We had to perform in front of two Warrior Monks to earn our certificate. This would be the first of two times I would feel nerves in my stomach. Three hours later, it was time for us to execute with precision and grace in front of our audience. We lined up in four rows. It was a surreal experience standing in front of the experts. The nerves kicked in for a split second. Then, I realized our performance wasn’t about perfection. It was about celebrating achievements. Each group of students from Discovery, Shaolin Temple, and Shao Lin Martial Arts School took turns singing, dancing, and performing kung fu. The night was a party and applause sounded throughout the building!

All three groups rose to the occasion. There was a sense of community and you could see the bond between children, teachers and staff. Discovery Students performed the entire routine like true kung fu masters. What really made the show special was the sense of accomplishment and collaboration. Students embraced in hugs and high fives were everywhere!

Kung Fu isn’t just karate, it to is an art and a lesson in life and Chinese culture. Posted by Adam Controy at 10:38 PM 4 comments

Discovery Student Adventures Travel
#dsac09
China
Shaolin Temple Martial Arts Students
Warrior Monks
Kung Fu
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Guest Blogger Heather Sullivan’s post from the Gaocheng Astronomical Observatory in the Heneng Province, China. Heather has created a science lesson and quiz. If you complete the 3 questions by posting a comment to her blog, you will be placed in a random drawing for a special prize from China.

As a science teacher I feel duty bound to post at least one science lesson for you guys, so here it goes

Yesterday we visited another amazing historically significant place on our journey- Gaocheng Astronomical Observatory in the Heneng Province- the oldest surviving observatory in China.

China has a history of astronomical observation and record keeping dating back more than 4000 years. Many cosmic objects and events have been observed, noted and interpreted by Chinese astronomers centuries before they first appeared in European records. In fact, China has a longer unbroken history of astronomical study than any civilization that has ever existed!

Ancient Chinese astronomy has proven very accurate over the years. NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab even recently used ancient Chinese eclipse timings (accurate to about 25 minutes) to learn more about the Earth’ rotation.

Chinese astronomers are also credited with the earliest known map of the stars. Created sometime around 700 AD, it includes precisely drawn representations of over 1000 constellations.

One especially important astronomical tool in early Chinese astronomy was the gnomon- an object whose shadow is used to record the changing position of the sun. Many people feel that the gnomon we visited at Geochang is the most remarkable one ever constructed. It was created by the famous Chinese scientist, Guo Shou in 1279 AD to help determine the calendar dates associated with the four seasons and to help verify that Luoyang City (next to Geochang) was the center of China. He was assigned that duty by the Emperor who wanted Luoyang to become China’s capitol city- a request that many around him did not agree with, so he had to establish a VERY good reason to support his desire. Since the Chinese at that time regarded China as the only country in the world, if Luoyang could be determined the center of China it would also, by default, become the center of the Earth- a very holy bestowal.

At noon on a clear day the gnomon’s horizontal bar casts a shadow on a low stone wall that extends out from the center of the base of the gnomon tower. The wall was designed so carefully that it even has troughs carved throughout so well water could be added to check for levelness!

As the sun’s path through the sky changed over the year, the location of the bar’s shadow shifted along the wall. At the winter solstice, when the sun’s path across the sky is as low as it’s going to get all year, the shadow reaches out to its farthest point on the wall- vice versa for the summer solstice. When the shadow falls mid-way between these two points, the Autumnal and Vernal (Spring) Equinox can be determined. Guo Shou used the gnomon, along with other tools at the observatory, to mark the beginning and end of all four seasons AND to give the Emperor proof that Louyang was indeed the true epicenter of China.

That’s it- lesson over! Now for you test…

1. Can you find the gnomon bar in the picture above? Where is it?

2. What is your favorite season? Why?

3. Was Guo Shou’ assertation about the center of China correct? How do you know? Please explain.

Everyone who answers the above three questions in a reply to this post will be entered in a raffle for a special gift from China. I will announce the winner in one week. Good Luck!!! Your name will be entered in a random drawing for a special prize from China.

Discovery Student Adventures Travel
#dsac09
China
Gaocheng Astronomical Observatory
Heneng Province
Heather Sullivan
Turbo Tagger

Because I have the gift of time this summer, I chose to follow the Discovery Student Adventures Travel in China. This post focuses on the teachers on the trip who are posting to the DSA China blog. I realize that sifting through the many posts begs time when most of us are either in school or moving closer to re-entry, so I thought I would try to give you a thumbnail sketch of how some teachers are ending their summer vacation. I have another post about the students forthcoming as well, but more on that later.

Brett Harvey:

• Ready for Adventure: The first of the teacher team to post, Brett followed the Australia and South Africa trips, and is excited about traveling with 4 great students to China.
• Selecting Students: a difficult process but Brett decided to have some fun informing the 4 finalists.

• Beijing, China: moments of joy watching students during Tai-chi.
• Common Language: dragon boat races, badminton, table tennis, frisbee, and basketball–the international language.
• Photos: image upload issues resolved; you can find teachers’ and students’ photos by clicking on the Photos tab in the main blog menu or go to: http://picasaweb.google.com/photos.DSA.
• Kung Fu Fighting: a video posted by the Discovery Student Adventures Travel team.
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  Posted by Discovery Student Adventures at 2:45 PM
• Kung Fu Children: Brett asks if these children are happy and if the beauty of this land and its people will remain a mystery. (insightful must read)

Rita Mortenson:

• An Adventure of a Lifetime: the photo says it all.
• Discovery’s Top Chefs: Chinese market photo, shopping before private lessons with Beijing’s master chef.
• Landing in the Bird’s Nest: 2 Olympic venues, the Bird’s Nest and the Water Cube, amazing architectural structures. Rita says these two structures must be seen to be appreciated; the beauty of the structures awe the viewer.
• Discovery Student Adventurers by Day, Bloggers by Night: I must admit that this photo and post by Rita really brought home to me how busy a student’s (and teacher’s) day really is. At the end of a 10K hike, these students return, exhausted, and post photos, posts, and tweets to their blogs. Sometimes they upload videos, but you just have to admire and respect these students for sharing their experiences with us and the world. Xiu xiu.
• Rocks, Scissors, Paper: from hiking the Great Wall to Chengde to learn about the art of paper cutting.
• Everybody Was Kung Fu Fighting!: (can’t get the song out of my head) a unique experience and an incredible workout. Private tutoring with the Kung Fu masters at The Small Dragon School of Martial Arts, where students from ages 5-25 study kung fu for 6 hours a day, and then have school (sounds like a 12-hour day to me).
• The Price Is Right: shopping in Luoyang-Dengfeng, where hand gestures in bargaining prove we share much in common in both cultures.

Heather Sullivan:

• I Dream of China: interesting reflections of Heather’s panic dream.
• Putting Brush to Paper: calligraphy lessons in the house of the teacher.
• “Tour” Is Not a Four-Letter Word in China: a paradigm shift and a question about host cultures’ approach to tourists.

Adam Controy:

• I’m Going to China: discusses the surprise of being randomly selected and what he had to do in 2 weeks to be good to go.
• Blackberry and Blogging: met the China crew and BB arrived, making the trip official.
• Ping Pong and More: Temple of Heaven, Tiananmen Square, but ping pong was highlight of the day.
• Ping Pong Champion: an image worth unsaid words.
• Mongolian Hot Pots: Chinese fondue?–immerse your food in the hot pot,cook to your liking, and dip in delicious sauces; Adam’s favorite part of the day. Two great photos in this post.
• 798: childhood reflections and connections to the Beijing meaning of 798, not your typical museum.
• The Great Wall: a surreal 10K hike that put fear of heights behind him; an experience to hold forever.
• Dinner: Chinese pop star, conga lines, and dancing bridged the gap between cultures. Three great videos, posted by the Discovery Student Adventures team follow Adam’s post. You want to watch these videos.
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  Posted by Discovery Student Adventures at 5:09 PM 4 comments

• Friday, August 7, 2009

  
  Posted by Discovery Student Adventures at 5:16 PM 7 comments
  Labels: Discovery Student Adventures Travel

• Forbidden City & Olympic Park

  
  Posted by Discovery Student Adventures at 5:03 PM 1 comments
  Labels: Discovery Student Adventures Travel
• Meeting the “Top Monk” and Shao Lin Temple Martial Arts Students: one of two heavily commented upon posts, Adam discusses how impressive these students really are.

Discovery Student Adventures Travel
China
#dsac09
Turbo Tagger

Guest blogger Heather Sullivan, reposted from her Discovery Student Adventures China blog. Image from Heather’s China Pics.

Heather poses an interesting question, and after reading her post, please share your thoughts.

(Sorry, Heather, for not posting this one sooner–very thought-provoking, as usual).

Sunday, August 9, 2009

Just a quick post about something that’s been on my mind this entire trip…I live at the Jersey Shore where we have a special name for our Summer tourists: Bennys. And let me tell you, it’s by no means a term of endearment. The origin of this slang term is debatable, but regardless of its roots, no one debates its derogatory meaning. Ask anyone who lives at “The Shore”: “What do think about Bennys?” And you’ll most likely hear the following: “Bennys Go Home!” We even have t-shirts, bumber stickers, etc. stating it proudly.

New York City is less than forty-five minutes north of The Shore and you can spot a tourist there in a New York minute. Once spotted, you can see them being scowled at by taxi drivers (actually, by all drivers) and nudged out of the way on sidewalks by busy business people scurrying to work.

Now for China. General consensus of everyone on our trip is that our Asian hosts actually seem GLAD to see us! There literally has not been one single place we’ve visited that someone didn’t ask to take a picture of us or with us. The students think this is the coolest thing- they feel like rock stars (us grown ups don’t mind so much either!)

What do you think is the reason for the different attitudes towards tourists in America and China? Is my characterization of the NY/NJ attitude just limited to the North East or to big cities?

PLEASE share your thoughts!

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Posted by Ms. Sullivan at 1:26 PM 5 comments

Discovery Student Adventures Travel
China
#dsac09
Heather Sullivan
Chinese People
Tourism
Turbo Tagger