Published: March 25, 2008 08:15 pm         

Two Turkey Run fourth-grade teachers to travel to the Amazon

Marshall, Ind. — Sally Simpson and Sue Harness, Turkey Run Elementary fourth-grade teachers, have big plans for the summer. They are heading to the Amazon Rainforest.

The pair learned recently that they are the lucky recipients of a Teacher Creativity Fellowship, enabling them to travel to Peru to trek the Amazon Rainforest. There were 650 applicants for this grant from the Lilly Foundation. Simpson and Harness were among the 120 selected. Each teacher will receive $8,000 to cover transportation, passports, food/lodging and other expenses.

“We’re still in shock that we were selected out of 650 applications,” stated Harness.

During their visit, the pair plans to canoe to and observe a day in the life of a Peruvian student, participate in fishing, hikes, animal treks and dolphin sightings.

They plan to take the Canopy Walkway at the Amazon Conservatory of Tropical Studies to view the canopy layer of the 250,000-square-mile rainforest. Another part of their trip will include a five-day riverboat cruise down the Amazon River. Seeing the delicate interdependence of plants, animals and physical environment as well as the lifestyle of the people in the rainforest is the main focus of their trip.

“I’m excited to have the opportunity to see everything we’ve taught in our classroom,” said Simpson. “The fourth grade does many project-based activities with the rainforest animals and plants. Now we will actually be able to teach these areas based on our own experiences.”

Extensive followup activities will be a part of the fourth-grade curriculum for the 2008-2009 school year. Part of this study will include a general awareness that items purchased and used every day such as fruits, vegetables, ingredients for medicines and construction materials come from the rainforest. Other learning activities will include art and music incorporation and field trips.

“We would like to thank the Lilly Endowment Foundation for the opportunity to travel to the Rainforest and for the learning experience that we can bring back to our students,” said Harness.

Simpson echoed this sentiment, “A big ‘thank you’ goes to everyone at Turkey Run for their help and support that helped make this possible.”

Funded by Lilly Endowment Inc., the program enables teachers, principals, guidance counselors and school librarians from all over Indiana to take the time to pursue their personal interests and explore subjects that intrigue them.