New Zealand Interim Trip - 2009

 

2009 New Zealand Interim Trip Lafayette College and  Martinsburg Elementary (Spring Cove School District) 2008 Interim Course Video - Released April 2008   Final Course Description and Trip Itinerary Groups and Chosen Topics Student Email Information 3rd Grade Partners List   Deliverables: Summary - Due 1/22/08 Proposal - Due 11/18/08 Personal Reflections Report - Due 1/30/09 Power Point Presentation - Tentative Due Date 2/3/09, 6-8 pm Interim Project - Due 2/6/08   Web Forum - http://meet.nitle.org/ We will meet in the Lafayette College Room - some software will automatically install (please note - we will not be able to supply software or computer support to members outside of our classroom project)   Image Sharing Website (Soapbox) NZ Photo Site   Some Cool Video's (avi files) to Check Out from 2008 Zip Line in  Adrenaline Park, New Zealand Zip Line #2 Penguins Having a Cool Time of it! Kangaroo's at Featherdale Wildlife Park, Queensland, Australia Jet Boating #1 Jet Boating #2   Communications from our Grade School Partners   Class Information Student and Faculty Email Information Group and Topic Assignments Group 1 - Green Buildings Group 2 - Geologic Role in the Natural Environment Group 3 - Wetlands Group 4 -  Water Source and Drinking Water Treatment Group 5 - Flora and Fauna Found in City/Residential/Wilderness Group 6 - Climate Impact/CO2/Global Warming Group 7 - Wastewater/Solid Waste Group 8 - Climate Change and Glaciation Group 9 - Geo-Hazards Group 10 - Energy   Questions and Answers Washers and Dryers: Hotel Ibis Christchurch:   They have 3 washers and 3 dryers in their communal guest wash station, they take NZD$2 each to operate and they have soap available for purchase. Glacier Country Hotel, Fox Glacier: Guest laundry is available. A-Line Hotel Queenstown: They have 2 washing machines & 2 driers in their Guest Laundry. Machines are operated by tokens which are NZD$2 each and can be purchased at Reception. Washing powder is also available - NZD$1 per sachet. Can students collect frequent-flier miles? Yes - Students must be prepared to take care of this when we check in at the airport. What about getting proper currency ahead of time? Sure, but it is probably easiest to do this at the airport when we arrive at each destination or even at cash machines using bank cards.  Traditionally this method will also provide the cheapest exchange rates. Will cell phones work in either country? you must have International GMS capabilities on your phone, otherwise no.  It is suggested to check with service providers to be certain your phone is set up properly and what rates you will be paying. Internet access? Yes, all hotels should have DSL or better. Electricity and Plugs? New Zealand - 230/240 volts, 50 hertz throughout.  Most hotels supply 110 volts (meant for electric razors only).  Other equipment an adapter/converter will be needed unless the item has a multi-voltage option.  All power outlets only accept flat 3 or 2-pin plugs, depending on whether a ground connection is present. A RJ45 type plug as well as the 3 or 2 pin plug will be need to connect laptops to an outlet. Australia - From what we have been able to find out, the power and plug requirements are the same as New Zealand. What to Bring List of "Stuff to bring and think about" New Zealand Tips on Touring Passport and at least one other form of identification At least one laptop (w/charger) per group  Camera  (w/charger or spare batteries) and software and hardware to download pictures Money/Credit for meals and activities not covered by trip   Itinerary Weblinks (Leave 6:30 am, January 2 from Newark Airport) Land in Auckland, New Zealand, January 4, 2009 Waitomo Caves, January 5, 2009 Rotorua, January 4-6, 2009 We will spend time visiting the area and become aquatinted with the Maori. Christchurch, New Zealand Hotel Ibis, Christchurch, January 6-8 2009 Willowbank Wildlife Reserve, January 6, 2009 Akaroa Day Tour with Cruise, January 7, 2009 Tranz Alpine Train, Christchurch to Greymouth, January 8, 2009 Scenic Circle Glacier Country Hotel, Fox Glacier Township, January 8-10, 2009 Fox Trot, Half Day Hike, January 9, 2009 Queenstown, New Zealand A-Line Hotel, Queenstown, January 10-13 2009 Dart River Safari, January 11, 2009 Queenstown to Asburton, via Mt. Cook, January 13, 2009 Mt. Cook, January 13, 2009 Farmstay in Ashburton, January 13, 2009 Fly Home - Arrive at Newark Airport, 6:36 am January 15, 2007   Informative Weblinks Kid Friendly Links WATER CYCLE with Drippy the Raindrop & friends - an online narrated fictional story of the water cycle EPA - Environmental Kids Club - WATER - under the topic of beaches you will find information about not only beaches, but also pollution, water safety, and sun safety Yare Valley Water - an excellent teaching tool, using Claudia telling the story as a water droplet through the water supply system, water cycle, water conservation and there is also a pond habitat to view Little Drop's Big Water Cycle Trip - neat webquest about learning the water cycle EPA - Climate Change Site - global warming effects added to good graphics about water cycle (a little complicated for 3rd grade), no sound  (you may need to type the address in, for some reason it did not come up by cutting and pasting it) Wastewater Treatment - kid-friendly look at wastewater treatment, no sound but would be great for a whole class demonstration and discuss Teacher Resources Securing our Water Future - you will find a list of activities and resources when you click on the School pages tab at the top US Fish and Wildlife Services - Wetlands - good source of information about wetlands and resources available to teachers Wetland Links - great source of information and an extensive list of links for more