Dear Plant-ed Members,
I am working with instructor Ms. Sojikarn Sataporn, in developing a plant tissue culture course for students in Nakorn Nayok Thailand. The project is moving along nicely. The students have already come a long way considering what they have to work with. Ms. Sojikarn Sataporn and the students need to give three presentations, two which have been completed, in order to receive state funding for the purchase equipment.
The first two presentations went well and have resulted in the purchase of an autoclave, (pressure cooker). The last presentation, on Nov. 25th, will be in front of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn at Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy located in Amphoe Mueang Nakhon Nayok. If this presentation goes well, the course will be approved and they can get funding for the needed equipment.
The presentation will focus on their on-line blog and the involvement by the students with teachers, students and people around the world who have knowledge or an interest in plant tissue culture - sort of an information exchange. For the presentation to HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn they will include posts from their site. So far I am the only foreigner involved but, at least it got them past the first two presentations.
If you are an instructor and think that your students would enjoy corresponding with students in Thailand, sharing ideas and knowledge about plant science then visit http://botanyschool.ning.com They are a wonderful bunch of kids, eager to learn and share ideas.
This is a great opportunity to get students everywhere involved with plant science and interact with different cultures around the world. I can't think of a better way for students to develop an interest in science, the world around them and perhaps, just maybe, start a project tissue culturing plants in their own school.
There is a challenge of the language barrier but Google Translator will help with that. The instructor, Ms. Sojikarn Sataporn ("Mook"), and some students can post in English which helps and they will kindly offer corrections with Thai language if needed. http://translate.google.com/translate_t#
If you wish I can send you a copy of the presentation when completed and update you on the results. I pretty sure they will post it on their site too.
Thank you all,
Frank Tromble. Indiana U.S.
http://www.facebook.com/#/profile.php?ref=name&id=1216430052http://www.youtube.com/user/fbt2007http://www.hometissueculture.org/
