The Sweet Sounds of Science

Session Two: Friday April 10, 2020
1:00 pm MST
 
Meadowlark
Listen to this: LINK
 
Now, listen to this.
 
Here is some science used to write the song: LINK 
 
Attached is an accompaniment track for you to sing along to.  Go ahead!  Try it!  Change the words or improvise something cool about the Western Meadowlark. 
 
The STEM School Highlands Ranch club, Birds Across Borders, is working with two elementary school music teachers to compose and perform songs about birds.  
 
The Western Meadowlark song above is being facilitated by Prairie Hills Elementary music teacher Ashlynn Manning and Emmy award winning song writer David Williams. 
 
Below are some are the first steps of a new song about a hummingbird, facilitated by Academia Ana Maria Sandoval Elementary music teacher Maritza Lynch and Peruvian guitarist Alfredo Muro.          Song Title: Mirlo (Robin)
 
R & D 1song r and d
The students begin by studying birds and writing about them.
 
In another lesson, Dr. Campbell-Smith and students from Birds Across Borders meet with the elementary students via ZOOM.
 
What do birds eat?
 
Let’s write a song about the Goshawk!
 
Jennifer's illustration
Dr. Campbell-Smith illustrated this after our March 27, 2020 session. 
 
“ These SE Asian hornbills have a uniquely thick front wall to their casque (the “horn” on their head), compared to other hornbills whose casques are mostly hollow. Unfortunately this solid area is valued as “red ivory” for carving and has resulted in mass killing/poaching for their unique casques. These critically endangered birds do not breed quickly, so they are facing extinction…for trinkets and carvings.”
 
Also inspired by the March 27, 2020 session, David Williams created the illustrations below.  
 
Please let Gregg Cannady know if you want to collaborate on a lesson like the one below. 
 
March 27
 
The Sweet Sounds of Science 
(for teachers, students, poets, musicians, dancers, and scientists)
 
 One Voice 4 Change invites you to a synchronous virtual learning experience.
This informal collaboration will be based upon a bird in India and was inspired by Birds Across Borders.
 
Date: March 27, 2020
Time: 1:00 pm
 
Please attend with your instrument, voice, pen, ideas, and curiosity. 
Together we will create lyrics, stories, and music. 
 
Rules of Engagement:
  1. Have Fun!
  2. Participant Name in ZOOM: Please use your first name so that we can get to know you. 
  3. Mute yourself when you’re not the one speaking. (except open jam sessions)
  4. No hiding . . . Please keep your video in ZOOM on.
  5. Be Brave. If you’re shy, chat your questions, suggestions, and comments. 
  6. 90 second challenge – Try to limit the time you are speaking. Every 90 seconds, engage the listener. (sing, play, chat, share screen, ask a question, etc)
  7. When you speak, start off by saying your first name.  ”I’m Gregg from STEM . . .  tell me how fast the song should go.”
  8. Any students joining MUST join with their parent or teacher.
Resources used in the lesson.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPCDVahhnBg

 

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/the-helmeted-hornbill-is-a-living-treasure-and-thats-a-problem/

 
 
The Lesson
(Hard Stop @ 45 minutes)
 
  • Intros: In the CHAT – Type your name and title (e.g. teacher, poet, parent, student, guitarists, retired mule trainer, etc.) [2min.]
 
  • As you listen to this, LINK, describe or imitate what you hear.  We can jump around an let people answer live in ZOOM. [5 min.]
 
  • Jam: Speak, sing, play. [2 min.]
 
  • Helmeted Hornbill Story: LINK [2 min.]
 
  • Maritza: Describe what Academia Ana Maria Sandoval did. [2 min.] show video (optional) 
 
  • **Breakout Rooms – prepare to present ideas for larger group. [6 min.]
 
  • Present Ideas [5-10 min.]
 
  • Large Group Chaos: Everyone Jamming Simultaneously (call and response, listening, rain) [3-6 min.]
 
  • Ashlynn Manning – Prairie Hills Meadowlark Song [5 min.]
 
  • **Breakout Rooms – What did you like? What were the challenges of this lesson? What could we do better? What could we do next time? [5 min.]
 
  • Present Ideas [5-10 min.]
 
** Please put all ideas in the chat for both breakout sessions.
 

Technology is not the only thing that connects us. It is passion, insight, cooperation, patience, dedication, learning, respect, kindness, and knowing that we are all connected through vulnerability.     - Felicity Muench (One Voice 4 Change) https://www.onevoice4change.org/

 

 . . . the usage of technological advancements to bring everyone together, leading to one global nation which would be full of love, respect, peace, happiness and a vibrant environment.   - Abhimanyu Jakhar (Jaipur, India) https://scotle.org/

 
Try these extended activities from:World Migratory Bird Day
 
bird photos
 

From one of the March 27th participants:

It was my first time on ZOOM, too.

 

Of course, I was a bit overwhelmed by the screen and knowing how to use it.

 

However, (and of course AFTER) I came up with all sorts of Educational ideas for saving the Helmeted Hornbill, but (as I can conceive it as a visual artist) they all require visual and technical, on site work in the affected areas.. Education of the public to recognize both visually and aurally, ad create the aspect of love and protection for this bird in both the proximate areas where it needs protection as well as worldwide, so that the poaching and carved pieces cannot be traded.  Much like the Black Rhino, or elephant tusks…..

 

Huge, informational murals on buildings – cities, towns, busses.  Bus stops sculpted to look like Hornbills, with wings outstretched to protect those underneath, while being protected (hopefully, through education and recognition of the creature) by those sheltered by it…… ok.  And amplify & project the Hornbill song, to indicate an oncoming bus, (rather like the bells in foreign subways or light rail in Denver).  That’s just a few… I just really don’t know how One Voice 4 Change can facilitate this or help make it possible.

 

The Sweet Sounds of Science 

(for teachers, students, poets, musicians, dancers, and scientists)

Inspired by Birds Across Borders.

 

Session Two

“Arts & Sciences Collaborate to Save a Bird”

 

Date: April 10, 2020

 

Time: 1:00 pm

 

*ZOOM Invitation Below

Presented by Felicity Muench

 
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