New Crop of Bonsai Enthusiasts

[AZbonsai]

Had the opportunity to bring part of my bonsai collection to school today. I will be sharing bonsai with as many classes as possible and with our after school garden club kids. Kids are excited to see the display! Definitely creates a buzz on our campus. I used pictures from @PiñonJ trip to the national museum to show them some real bonsai! Will be giving the garden club kids some portulacaria starter bonsai to take home today. Great day. Who knows maybe a future Bjorn out there!

 

[JosephCooper]

The weird thing is, I'm still in school...

 

[AZbonsai]

Are you the next Bjorn? You have as good a shot as any.

 

[Carol 83]

That's great, I hope it sparks some interest in them, so they know there's other things to do than play video games!

 

[Smoke]

That's great, I hope it sparks some interest in them, so they know there's other things to do than play video games!

There's a bonsai video game?

 

[AZbonsai]

I just gave general history of bonsai. A run down of tools, soils, pots, and plants. They enjoyed the museum pictures and Bnut website!

 

[Bonsai Nut]

Awesome! That's a lot of work to cart all your trees down to the school and set 'em all up. Great job!

 

[CamdenJim]

Had the opportunity to bring part of my bonsai collection to school today. I will be sharing bonsai with as many classes as possible and with our after school garden club kids.

I'm not sure what I like best about this: The school for agreeing to have you there or you for doing it! Schools and adults should teach about life -- every part of it.

 

[Cadillactaste]

Having a hobby is one aspect...sparking the interest of possibly a younger generation...KUDOS! A lot of work you created for yourself...to offer a glimpse of this hobby of ours. Well done for the sacrifice...I would imagine the ones who really sat up and took notice...made it all worth while.

 

[AZbonsai]

Awesome! That's a lot of work to cart all your trees down to the school and set 'em all up. Great job!

A truck and two cars worth. ?

 

[sorce]

You are a Good Man AZB!

Good Man!

Sorce

 

[AZbonsai]

I'm not sure what I like best about this: The school for agreeing to have you there or you for doing it! Schools and adults should teach about life -- every part of it.

I am a teacher at this school and I agree! I do this activity that is called teach me something new. I start out by teaching my kids about a hobby I have (bonsai this year) and then they teach me about a hobby they do. It is a great activity for all of us. I get to learn something new about my kids and they see me in a different light as well. Let me just add our kids are amazing! They do a variety of fantastic things besides sitting in front of a computer screen!

 

[barrosinc]

How old are they? could you go through how it went'? how in depth did you go? what topics did you address? What did they like and what not?
I might do one of these soon, so any tips help! I feel it will be too advance for kids... but who knows.

 

[Clicio]

Had the opportunity to bring part of my bonsai collection to school today. Great day.

Thats amazing, congratulations for doing that!
By the look of the pictures the kids enjoyed it...

 

[AZbonsai]

I teach elementary school K-6.
At this level I taught a bit of history of bonsai...China...Japan...USA after WWII.
I took my tools in and taught them what they are used for (dont pass the sharp ones around)
I passed around ziplock bags of soil components and explained what they were and why we used them (no soil wars
I talked a little about pots and chops.
The plants are the show. I took them through my process of nursery stock...to pond basket to...bonsai pot. ( Hey @milehigh_7 used the starters you sent me to pass around to the kids. They are growing great!)
I did not get real technical with anything and I used their questions to guide the discussion.
You guys know my bonsai skills are lacking...my wiring is all wonky and I have nontraditional trees but the kids dont care about that! They just like to learn new things and appreciate the fact you shared a part of what is important to you. (Except those kids named Clyde...they never pay attention anyway!)

 

[GGB]

Thanks man, I hope bonsai keeps increasing in popularity here. It would be nice to have some new nurserys pop up, I don't know why it isn't more popular

 

[milehigh_7]

(Except those kids named Clyde...they never pay attention anyway!)

Were you talking to me? I was not listening sorry.

 

[Lazylightningny]

great idea to spark some interest in the young ones. well done!

 

[Wires_Guy_wires]

Awesome! Did you incorporate anything relatable that speaks to those kids?
I had to drag in Breaking bad by the hairs when giving practical chemistry, just to keep the attention. It worked!
I'm just wondering if you did something similar or if that wasn't necessary.

 

[AZbonsai]

Awesome! Did you incorporate anything relatable that speaks to those kids?
I had to drag in Breaking bad by the hairs when giving practical chemistry, just to keep the attention. It worked!
I'm just wondering if you did something similar or if that wasn't necessary.

That is a good strategy but not something I had to do with the bonsai. The display in the courtyard was enough.