Water Play

We got in our bathing suits and played outside with water!

Caring for our mushroom log and why they are good for the environment

We looked at our mushroom log and discussed the vast fungal network in the earth, and why they are good for the environment. This included the 3 types of mushrooms- Mycorrhiza (beneficial to plants, like chanterelles and truffles), Saprophytic/decomposers (break down organic matter, like shiitake and portobella), and Parasitic (like the honey mushroom). We discovered […]

Healthy soil – What lives in the ground?

In 1 teaspoon of soil, there can exist up to 4000 species of organisms, such as bacteria, fungi, mites, and other creatures.  We spent some time getting to know the marvels of a rotting log and the decomposers who live upon and beneath it.  We learned that decomposers are group of organisms that function as […]

Art inspired by Jordanian solar tents

We turned our attention to another Jordanian project: Jordanian-Canadian designer Abeer Seikaly has developed an innovative solar tent for refugees.  The tent’s design allows for rainwater collection, solar power generation, solar water heating for showers, ventilation during hot weather, and insulation during cold weather.  The tent is made from light-weight “structural fabric” that is designed […]

Sustainable practices and permaculture in Jordan

Today, Spark Arts Explorers visited the country of Jordan to take a look at some of the permaculture projects there.  We first went to the area of Wadi Rum to a site that had once been inhospitable arid desert, but has been transformed into a lush oasis from permaculture practices over a matter of years. […]