Big Brother Mouse

19 February, 2012, Luang Prabang, Laos

Discovery festival: In wealthy countries, people assume that young people will get a range of experiences that that contribute to their personal and mental development: Going to museums. Playing board games. Reading for pleasure. Watching movies. Expressing their opinion in a group discussion about something of significance. Taking fun day trips to the countryside. Experimenting with science kits. Solving puzzles of many sorts. Learning to speak in public. Such experiences are much rarer for young people here. For several years, the "Mouse Experience" has provided our staff with opportunities to enjoy and learn from these and other activities. Now we've begun offering "Discovery Days" for others, as well.

This event was sponsored by Manoj Paul (United States). Thank you!

This weekend we held "Discovery Days" at the public library (shown here, on Sunday), and at the Orphanage School outside of town. This was an opportunity to see, learn, and experience things in new ways. It was open to everyone, although most of those who came were children.

Many of the activities had a tie-in with books. In the first picture Khamla displays Wonders of the World and Puzzles. Left of him is Chanta, the librarian. On the far left is Pam DeVolder from the U.S. Embassy, which cooperated with us on this project.

A digital microscope allows several people to watch the action, and there was quite a bit. We had previously hatched some brine shrimp eggs and watched the larva energetically swim around in a drop of water. We also looked at bacteria samples that had been taken several days earlier from various sources, and grown in petri dishes.

Two other organizations set up activities: "My Library" offered interactive activities related to the hand, including an opportunity to get fingerprinted. The Traditional Arts and Ethnology Museum displayed clothing and crafts from some of the many ethnic groups in Laos.

Manoj Paul, who sponsored this event, previously donated Tinkertoy and Lincoln Log sets to us. They were both in constant use. Tangram puzzles provided a challenge for all ages.

Two displays focused on health and anatomy. One model showed the major organs, which are explained in our book Your Body. Another showed the workings of the human reproductive system.

Small models of many Wonders of the World were accompanied by pages from our book of that name. And Noh helped kids understand electronics, with a Snap-Circuits kit.

We're all eager to do it again!

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