Successes:  We have an excellent mentor who helps us when we’re stuck.  When Team Ants was trying to find classroom supplies that were budget friendly, Deanna and her group of undergrad students helped us research.  We wouldn’t be able to purchase an incubator for our classrooms, so we used a cardboard box instead.  It serves the same purpose.  Team Ants also worked very well together.  We shared information, inspired one another, talked about personal matters, and participated in tasks that we never have had the opportunity to before (like drawing hemolymph from ants).  The museum staff were helpful and welcoming.  It was so good to get to know them!

Challenges: Sometimes I felt that our team was out of the loop.  We were a brand new cohort and Deanna didn’t know many things that other mentors knew.  I don’t believe that it was her fault though.  I just think it was overlooked!  We also had to make adjustments to the equipment that we would need (but that turned out alright!)  We haven’t heard anything else yet on how we can get materials purchased that we need.  It’s also been a challenge in our team as to when we will be implementing these plans.  I am fortunate enough to teach an elective class that I can easily incorporate my plans into our everyday activities.  However, my two other team members don’t have that luxury.

All in all, we had more successes by far!  Whew, feels good to say that!

#lateentry #sobusywhenschoolsstarts