During nature observation class in the Community House of Szeged we discovered the micro- and macroscopic secrets of our garden.
Both days the weather was perfect thus we started the lessons in the garden to boost up the things-to-do there, meanwhile we carried out measuring and sample collection.
With the first group (the youngest members of the Foundation) we cleared the water from the dead weeds and vegetable parts giving space for the fish that we are going to place back into the lake and also the birds can have bath in the coming hot days. Later we cleaned the birds’ houses. After finishing the garden chores, we grabbed rulers, pencils and tape measures to map the garden and the backyard. We first recorded the data on paper then with the help of a software we made the plan of the garden virtually. Now we know where to place the bug traps of which visitors will be the subjects of the next lessons. Later we planted the peas and tomato plants into the garden pots and we also planted ipomoea near the wall.
With the other group (elder members of the Foundation) we weeded the flower garden in the beginning of the lesson where we collected many bugs for later experiments. Luca showed us the techniques of macroscopic photo making.
During weeding we found many interesting species with many interesting features. After thorough hand washing we put a webcam on the microscope and with the help of the projector we could see the samples in big. The samples gave us lots of interesting information about the plants, like why the leaves of nettle sting or why the geranium’s leaves have nice smell. We made some photos with the webcam that can be seen in the gallery.
Mikics Péter, mentor