Today we headed out to LSU for the Ocean Commotion program. They had 54 exhibitors presenting hands-on activities and experiments, crafts, live and preserved animals to touch and much to learn. They said they really enjoyed seeing all the critters, although in many of the pictures they don't look like it! LOL.
I have to say though that I was absolutely appalled at behavior of many of the teachers/chaperone's and children there. Children were running around unsupervised, teachers/chaperone's were allowing them to shove their way to the front of lines and even attempting to push them up there themselves and cut in front of others waiting...it was ridiculous! I had to speak to a few children and adults and explain where the lines started. Some people were way more up close and personal than I cared to be with a total stranger! I told one exhibitor that I felt like I was in some sports event being shoved up against a fence! He laughed and said, "Yeah, only their shoving their way forward for a sticker, coloring book, or pamphlet like they're gold or something!"
We learned about erosion, native wildlife, restoring wetlands and their part in keeping pollutants from entering the waterways, oils spills, marine life, coral reefs, water cycle, boating safety, and we were able to view microscopic life in the water. The kids touched preserved marine life of all kinds (J liked the Octopus) and they also got to touch life ocean/river creatures. I thought it was really great, though there needs to be a bit of a system in place for how to travel through the different booths.We also got to see the newest LSU mascot, Mike the tiger.
