Attention: Bill Capman

jimmyjoebob · 05-07-2006, 09:48 PM

Hello Bill,

I was wondering if you had a copy of your talk at MACNA? I have been thinking over the school project and I believe a first start would be to get this video in their hands. As such I would like to convert it, and also post the .iso file on my website so the entire TCMAS and teachers have access to it. Then we can start getting some feedback and try to put together some type of online program.

Let me know what you think.

Patrick

capman · 05-08-2006, 01:24 AM

I'm glad you are interested in promoting the idea of working with teachers.

This is a good idea, but unfortunately, the MACNA speakers were not given copies of the DVD with the talks.

We should talk some more about this idea sometime though.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimmyjoebob

Hello Bill,

I was wondering if you had a copy of your talk at MACNA? I have been thinking over the school project and I believe a first start would be to get this video in their hands. As such I would like to convert it, and also post the .iso file on my website so the entire TCMAS and teachers have access to it. Then we can start getting some feedback and try to put together some type of online program.

Let me know what you think.

Patrick

jimmyjoebob · 05-08-2006, 10:17 AM

OK, I will find Washington club's email, and get a copy.

capman · 05-09-2006, 10:29 PM

I would like a copy of the talk (though I might not necessarily enjoy watching it..."I said THAT?!", etc..... and it might be weird having it up on the Web, for similar reasons!).

Let me know what happens regarding your inquiry. They were charging an arm and a leg for the full DVD of all the talks. There was some mention at the outset of them maybe providing speakers with copies of the DVD's, but that did not materialize.

jimmyjoebob · 05-10-2006, 11:58 AM

IMAC always burns and gives the speaker an immediate copy of their DVD! ARGH

OK, I am thinking of getting this project rolling. If someone wants to really help out, I would like to put together a presentation.

Some things to consider:

I was thinking of using those cool nanocubes that were at IMAC, had skimmer and etc etc built into the back of them like a sump. Really nice set up. about 24 gallons. Would those be ok for a class tank or would you want to go larger?

Additionally, I am sure we have enough talent in TCMAS that can author a DVD? Need someone to put together an appropriate list of fish, with pictures and care requirements in a power point presentation? Do the same with inverts and corals? Then do a section on basic maintenance and care of the tank?

Also how about an accountant with info on tax liabilities and so forth for getting donations and so forth to purchase and run the tank?

I would like to gear this as something informational and give them basic knowledge of running a tank and setting one up and stocking it. It would be directed at the ambitious Science Teacher or even the school's science club.

What do you think?

capman · 05-10-2006, 04:37 PM

A DVD as you suggest might be useful. It would help get them up to speed on the basics. There are some good books that will provide some that sort of background too of course, but a properly done DVD might in fact help them out a lot.

One needs to keep in mind also that the goals and objectives for a classroom tank are not altogether the same as for a tank a hobbyist might set up at home. For example, the ultimate SPS tank would probably not be the ideal classroom tank (though the ideal classroom tank SHOULD have adequate conditions for healthy growth of SPS corals, in my opinion, but even tanks that will not support SPS corals can be very valuable in a classroom). These ideas were all discussed in some detail in my MACNA talk, which I hope to have an opportunity to give to TCMAS at some point in the not too distant future.

The DVD idea is a good one. However, I think it should also be said that what a teacher would need even more than a DVD is a knowledgeable person that they can rely on for help and good advice, both at the start, and on an ongoing basis (for a few years at least). I think that in most cases, a classroom reef tank will simply not happen without that.

Regarding tank size, a tank in the neighborhood of 20 gallons would certainly be more affordable, and it coud be very useful. Certainly lots better than no tank. It would also have the advantage of being small enough for a teacher to transport to his/her home in the summer if necessary.

A 20 gallon tank would be somewhat limiting though. If a school had the space, and came up with sufficient money or donations, I really think that something on the order of 40 gallons minimum, or preferably more like 65 gallons or larger would be much better.

Also, I would never use an acrylic tank in a classroom where multiple students will be taking care of it. The inside walls of the tank will be scratched in no time (and the outside of the tank might get scratched as well).

Thanks for your interest in this classroom aquarium idea.

(Thanks for your PM, by the way).

mtfatwork · 05-10-2006, 04:50 PM

I would be willing to help on this project as I have already pitched an idea to Brocks school, with details to follow later. Not sure what role you would like me to play in this though. I am not on camera talent, I just put them on TV! lol. I do have a fairly extensive production background if that helps.

jimmyjoebob · 05-10-2006, 09:57 PM

Bill, I believe the DVD should be an introduction to the idea, give them basics, and maybe make it a DVD ROM with some basic fish, and a good basic knowledge base of inverts and fish and requirements so that they have a basic knowledge base ..... That in addition to a club mentor would be a good way to get things started. The 24 gallon nanos I am talking about at IMAC were glass with a polypropelene divider for the sump area. It was just geared so it would be pretty much plug and play for a mushroon, softy, invert, few fish tank. Lets work together, the entire club, on working this out, this way we can get some kind of road map of how and what we want to put together so we are not out there in 15 different directions.

So come on guys, lets hear the rest of the clubs input!

capman · 05-10-2006, 10:04 PM

The DVD sounds like a cool idea.

The 24 gallon plug and play tanks sound pretty cool too. How much do those sell for? Any photos?