Culinary Adventure

We had dinner at Qianmen Quanjudt Beijing Roast Duck Restaurant.  I will write more detail on that experience later, but wanted to share just this one detail. Yes, I consumed a scorpion! Yes, we also had a shot of fire water! Crunchy and a little salty. It was the sensation of the legs that affected me most.  In the photos, you will see the original dish, the lovely specimen itself and our delegation leader and me popping the tasty morsel into our mouths! Since it was a science group we wondered if their living specimen provider was Carolina Biological!

School Visit

Today we visited the Beijing Normal University which is a teacher preparation university. We met with several professors this morning and then visited the Beijing Normal University Experimental Primary School this afternoon. We observed a 5^th grade science lesson and then met with the teachers and principal. The class had 42 students, 26 boys and 16 girls. They attend school 40 weeks during a school year  which, of course, is 4 weeks more than we do in the United States. They go five days a week and are in school from 8-3.  The hours may vary a bit in the rural areas. The lesson was a typical hands-on lesson on sound generation.  The lesson was sequenced very well and students were very engaged and attentive. About half if this student population is children of university faculty and staff. The students were very friendly and excited to see us. Science is taught by 4 full time science teachers with the guidance of a master teahcer. They only teach science as all elementary teachers do teach only one subject.

Lunch on Thursday

We went to lunch at a typical Chinese restaurant called Tongfulin Restaurant.  It was a great experience where we were able to try many items. All served family style from a large lazy susan in center of table See photos of mushrooms and bok choy and the table for an idea. There were so many different dishes to try and I pretty much tried everything. Working on my chopsticks technique which is coming slowly.  

The custom is to be served two glasses of either water, coke, fanta, or beer with your meal at no extra charge in addition to the tea, of course. The beer was excellent and very smooth.