Rainforest - Week 6

 Biosphere 2

We made it here! And the children did amazing even through a 2 hour tour. :P I was so impressed.

The tour began with a movie presentation. Then it was time to visit the different Biomes that were created under this multi-million dollar building. 

Our first Stop - The Rainforest

A strangler fig

Type of fern

 

Lots of Lianas (ropes,vines)

A type of Epiphyte system

 

 

Rather than take the pictures myself, I allowed my son to take them.  Pretty fun to see what pictures he took. 

 

It was in this room that the tour guide asked if anyone had questions.  Previously, I had challenged the children to think of a question that they would ask the tour guide. Well, one of the children asked the tour guide how much do we depend on the rainforest for survival and how much of what we need comes from the rainforest.  

The tour guide answered his question and then went on to explain how the whole process of the plants taking in Carbon Dioxide and how at some point it may become too much for the plants.  It was so fun to know that this child understood that.  

The tour guide was so impressed by his question. :) 

Next Stop - A Tropical Savannah

A current research project from the University of Arizona. I was a bit sad because the tour guide had said that thick and long Bermuda grass had once grown here. They had taken it out for research projects.

 

Third Stop - Coastal Fog Desert 

(this is similar to Baja California)

Elephant Tree

 

 Fourth Stop - Behind/Under the Scenes

(the watering systems of the Biomes)

 

As the tour guide continued through this part, he was speaking of how important water plays into the different Biomes. He asked the group which consisted of more than just us the different parts of the Water Cycle. 

I was so interested to see if they may remember what we had learned during one of the weeks.  

They sure did! And they raised their hands high so they could answer Evaporation, Condensation, and Precipitation. 

My seven year old in excitement even offered the answer of Photosynthesis at first.  

 

They truly had learned the information weeks before. And I knew it! 

Fifth Stop - The South Lung

(vital key in making the B2 work) 

 

 Heading down a tunnel into the South Lung.

 

  This South Lung helps with pressure buildup from the building. 

Last stop - The Ocean

(Under the ocean)

 

This part of the exhibit is really neat.  You go underground and see into the ocean that was created.   

There is a whole child's area down in this area that the children can explore. This was the only picture that my son captured of seeing under the ocean. I think he was tired after a 2 hour tour. He was ready to play.

The Rainforest from the outside

 It was definitely a long day and the children were exhausted but I still think it was worth it. What was fun was experiencing the heavy humidity in the rainforest.  I even asked them if they could feel that water in the air and if they now could understand a bit more of why it rains so much in the rainforest.  

They said they did. I wished that we could have stayed longer in the rainforest area.  They would not let us go in by ourselves for safety reasons.  But one day I hope to perhaps arrange a private tour so we can focus more on the rainforest of this place.  

But for now...the children were able to finally experience a 

RAINFOREST