The 2010 GAC Science students visited the Arboretum of CELOS on Friday, 7th May 2010 as part of their Science 2 project work- ‘Local Environmental Survey Report’.
The acronym CELOS stands for Centre for Agricultural Research Suriname (Centrum voor Landbouwkundig Onderzoek Suriname). CELOS works with the Anton de Kom University of Suriname and is situated at Leysweg (Leys Road), Paramaribo, next to the University. The CELOS Arboretum is a staked out terrain with a collection of timber-trees intended for scientific research. Since human influences in the arboretum are kept at a minimum the flora and fauna develop in a natural way.
For the report the students had to demonstrate the following:
- Identify relationships between organisms in the ecosystem.
- Use appropriate techniques to gather data and assess its validity and reliability.
- Maintain accurate and appropriate data records.
- Use appropriate style and terminology in the report.
- Specific requirements:
Walk around and through the arboretum to become familiar with it.
Record abiotic variables in the area (soil types, water quality, air quality, general weather conditions)
Describe and record the size and type of plant population in the area.
Determine the classification scheme of a number of trees, bushes or flowers, and animals.
Construct food chains and webs for the ecosystem.
Look for human influences.
Look for any relationships in the area.
The GAC students also visited other divisions of CELOS.
The participating GAC Science students were: Zikomo Mhango, Marina Sew-Atjon, Stephan Playfair, Daniel Lee, Sabrina Vaseur, Vincent Hilversum, Khabir King, Michelle Partoredjo.
The visit was organized by Mr. Atma Jagbandhan, assisted by Mr. Milton Drepaul, GAC Program Director of the Academy, Mr. Jitendra Jitan, Facilitator GAC Science Program of the Academy, and other staff. From CELOS’s side the visit was organized by Mrs. S. Silos, Director, Mrs. M. Playfair and Mr. S. Soekhnandan, science staff members, assisted by other staff.
AlphaMax Academy thanks CELOS for all the cooperation and assistance the Academy has received.
Report by Mr. Atma Jagbandhan
