Waste Lab, Science Camp and trip to Sweden

Ready for the Waste Lab!

One of three massive waste areas

1000 degrees Celsius Incinerator

We started the day off with a visit to the Vestforbraending Recycling and Waste Treatment Plant.  In Denmark, 65% of all waste is recycled, 25% incinerated, and only 10% goes to a landfill.  The smell was unpleasant at times, yet the dedication and passion in this plant was remarkable.  We were asked to define waste, and our presenter asked us to think of waste as a resource that can be turned into energy.  Danes waste about 8 billion Kroner (remember divide by 6 to convert to approximate US dollars) on food that isn't used at all, yet this is actually good in comparison to other countries.  When walking by the claws, incinerator, control room, etc., we realized why this facility must remain open 24/7.  To get the incinerator up to 1000 degrees Celsius, it takes two days and a very expensive energy bill.  The plant's motto was "one man's trash, another man's treasure."

We also visited Soro Science Camp where "talent is contagious" and students are able to work for 3-4 days over several periods of time.  Students are selected by teachers with the idea that everyone should have a chance to attend free of charge.  "We are searching for one who has talent, not money" was the initiative in selecting students. Twelve to twenty year old students attend the camp mainly over the summer, where they are allowed to experiment with some of the most innovative science technology.

Lastly, we decided to cross the border to Sweden via metro.  We weren't asked for our passports when leaving for Sweden.  Sweden was like Denmark in some ways, yet somewhat different.  We were surprised by the height of "Turning Torso" and how it almost looked Photoshopped into the landscape of Sweden.  We enjoyed a delicious dinner and then took a taxi to a sunset lit beach (at 10:45 pm!).  We met a kind man named Simon who talked with us for about twenty minutes about the strong relationship between Sweden and Denmark.  Swedish money is different than Danish currency, yet we had no problems.  We took the metro back to Copenhagen at 00:00 (midnight) and sang "Happy Birthday" to one of the teachers on this journey.  Our last day is approaching, and I am so appreciative to the Danes who were extremely hospitable, kind and generous to this group of teachers from North Carolina.

Employees must work 24/7 to monitor the facility

Science Camp lockers-Periodic Table style

Heading towards Sweden-Denmark Wind Turbines

Denmark countryside

Sweden Subway

Malmö Sweden

Malmö Sweden

Turning Torso is the tallest building in Scandinavia

Energy and Water Workshop + Bike Rides

Students don't raise hand-use pointer finger

Energy and Water Workshop

Hilarious! 

Kids learning about energy use

We visited the Energy and Water Workshop in Valby.  I was so impressed with the level of education on sustainable development that Denmark's children receive.  The world's population has doubled in the last forty years to 7 billion, and Denmark is passionate about using our resources to the fullest. Copenhagen is working to provide hands-on and valuable activities for children such as traveling down a toilet to learn about the sewage system and the effects on our environment.  Students had electrical grids to formulate what energy sources were available and how they should be used.  Students are gaining such valuable insight on how to protect and preserve our environment at this workshop center.

A great friend and I biked and walked allllll over Copenhagen for about five hours.  I recorded a video (sorry a little jumpy!) so you can see how quiet Copenhagen is during rush hour.

We biked all over Copenhagen!

Beautiful Fountain

Opera House

Video of canal area:

Danish Energy Agency, Viking Museum, Roskilde Cathedral and Tivoli!

The Danish Energy Agency has set very ambitious energy initiatives with set results (not just strategies) to attain 100% renewable energy (no fossil fuels) by the year 2050.  Denmark is moving away from oil, coal, etc. to renewable resources that can provide economic assistance (prices of gasoline and other energy sources are expensive), climate benefits and to provide green careers for Danes.  We saw numerous wind turbines, yet found that many Danes consider them to be eyesores, so most are placed strategically offshore.  It costs twice as much to construct wind turbines off shore.  The Chinese president just visited Denmark last week to learn how China can gain perspective from Denmark's energy initiatives.

After this, we traveled on a chartered bus to Roskilde to see the Viking Ship Museum.  Here is a video clip of our presentation:

A small group decided to visit the Roskilde Cathedral, and I was amazed with the ornate details that surrounded us!  Some of the royal tombs include Queen Margrete I and Harold Bluetooth.

Roskilde Cathedral

Viking Museum

Roskilde Cathedral

Queen Margrete I's tomb

After some shopping, we rode the train back to Copenhagen and decided to go to Tivoli!  This is an amazing amusement park that Walt Disney came to visit for inspiration for his Disney parks.  This was one of the best amusement parks I have ever been to!  Tivoli was well worth the 259 Kroner (about $45).  The rides were amazing and there weren't hardly any lines at all!  Every morning, we get up early and stay up late to get in as much as possible.  We see daylight until 11:30 pm and is light again at 3:30 am!  I'm still loving this adventure!

Tivoli employees are amazing!

Tivoli

Amazing group!

Hans Christian Andersen ride: Princess and the Pea

10:30 pm- Still daylight!

Transportation and School Visit

"Blue Banana": Like NC's urban crescent

Christian Matthiessen discusses transportation

Fehmarnbelt Tunnel

Bike lane traffic signal

Today, we visited Fehmarn Group, which is a leader in transportation.  Currently, there are two bridges connecting Denmark and Sweden. Now, the challenge is to connect the Copenhagen area to Germany.  Denmark is creating a bridge and underwater tunnel (Øresund Bridge and Fehmarnbelt Tunnel network) that can change the way Danes and Germans interact for the cost of approximately 5 billion Euros.  The underwater tunnel will be 17.6 km long and 40m deep, accompanied by lights that signal to drivers remaining travel time.  This will be the longest road/rail tunnel in the world!  Our group was amazed by the technology, planning and communication needed to construct this bridge!

Secondly, we traveled to an incredible private school, to visit students and talk with administrators and teachers.  Students called teachers by their first names, yet were extremely well-rounded and gracious to us.  Be sure to look at the picture of the playground with the NC flag  (so kind)!  I was really impressed with the level of arts education at this school, which encourages students to "go public" with their creative talent so that they may receive helpful feedback.  30-35% of Copenhagen students attend private school with a current waiting list of 6,000 students waiting to get into Ingrid Jespersen's Privatskole!  Teachers in Denmark receive a little more than double what teachers make in North Carolina.  Danes who attend college receive 5400 Danish Kroner per month while attending college for free!  All Danes receive free health care and child care as well.  One thing that stood out to me is that teachers here don't coddle students.  If a student is failing, they'll hint to the student to try to fix this, but teachers have the attitude of "It's your life, not mine;do as you wish." 

For dinner, I decided to point to something on the menu and be adventurous.  The food was delicious and we had great time at this traditional Danish restaurant.  We talked with several Danes, and one man stated that he appreciated the laughter and happiness at our table.

Bike rails for the stairs

See the NC flag just for us?

Ingrid Jespersen's Privatskole

 You know I went down this slide...super fun!

Traditional Danish cuisine

We had the best time at this Danish restaurant!

June 17

Postcard view

Canal-Copenhagen

Busy, busy day.  I love Copenhagen!  Our groups had so much fun in the city!  We are really tired, but we are looking forward to some good rest tonight!  Danes are really excited about the soccer game tonight versus Germany.  Bikes really are everywhere in this city, and families seem to spend a great deal of time together.  Our hotel is wonderful, and we each have our own individual rooms.  I loved the canal boat tour and long walks around Copenhagen with great people.  The weather is very unpredictable; one minute the sun is shining and a moment later, it's raining!  Denmark is an incredible country with health and environment-conscious citizens.  Dinner tonight was about 120 Kroner...only sounds like a lot of money!  Divide this amount by six to find the approximate amount in US currency! 

The Little Mermaid

Anchor

Lego stores in Copenhagen

Sand Castle Competition

Sud Fountain

Typical family bike

Disney came here for inspiration for his parks!

Welcome to Copenhagen!

Canal Tour

Canal Tour

June 16th

Today I carpooled with two wonderful participants to Charlotte at 7 am.  I hope that I got everything I needed…don’t you love that feeling that makes you recheck your house repeatedly? I had to keep reassuring myself that I had my passport multiple times.  On the way to New York, I had the great privilege of reading an amazing student, Pruett Norris’ book, Dreams:  A Trilogy.  Pruett worked extensively this year to start writing his own book with superb word choice, clarity and generous details.  I promised Pruett that I would read his book, so here’s a picture of me starting to read this amazing book.   Cheers, Pruett (as Pruett likes to say)!

Pruett's book

Landing in New York

Our flight left JFK airport left at 5:10 pm (Eastern Standard time) Saturday and landed in Denmark at 7:15 am Sunday.  I slept pretty well on the flight, yet I know the six hour time difference is going to catch up with me soon!

Brrrr....-47 degrees F

Flying near Iceland

Seat buddies

So, we have decided that we are going to hit the ground running and stay awake and visit as much of Copenhagen as we can.  We plan on visiting Tivoli Gardens this week (recently ranked top five amusement parks you should visit in your lifetime), and then go to an amazing museum (free of charge!).  I absolutely love this group of teachers’ enthusiasm, attitudes and humor.  So far, this trip is off to a great start!  I hope everyone is enjoying their summer break/vacations. :)

Orientation in Chapel Hill-May 3-4

Chapel Hill, NC- ciy-data.com

UNC Center for School Leadership Development

Our e-book with detailed information about our trip. 

Thirty-two teachers from all over North Carolina met in Chapel Hill, NC to learn about our itinerary, passports (I have mine...woo-hoo!), customs in Denmark and were provided time to learn about other teachers.  I am too excited about this trip and this amazing group of educators going on this journey!

Mette Juul Sorensen

One Danish speaker, Mette Juul Sorensen, gave us a good deal of information about our travels.  Here are some of the highlights:

·         Kindergarteners speak/learn English in Denmark.

·         Denmark can be very expensive-small cars essential (55% tax rate)

·         More farming in western Denmark- very different than Copenhagen.

·         Viking helmets don’t have horns!   Having a Viking heritage, Danes very much enjoy traveling abroad.  Danes try to find, “What is out there?”

·         Denmark is in the middle of Scandinavia- perception of being perfect/center of attention. :)

·         Even today, the flag must be taken down before sundown, or others will think you are saluting the devil…whoa!  There is such a strong pride for the flag in Denmark.

·         Enjoy spices and tea in Denmark due to the exploration in India and Africa.

·         Denmark isn’t very proud of their role in the slave trade…people didn’t like to talk about it for centuries.  The slave trade is taught in schools in Denmark today to educate students of Denmark's history.

·         1849-King signs the Constitution of Denmark.  The constitution has only changed four times to date (King-just a figure…Prime Minister real leader of the people)

·         Schools have more vacations in Denmark-February-Ski Vacation.  Christmas-Danes stay home with family.

·         Copenhagen means- trade by harbor…harbor so important –leads to travel and exploration

·         Hans Christian Andersen was a distinguished writer (fairy tales) who wrote: “The Little Mermaid”-her statue is in Copenhagen Harbor.

        Sydney Opera House was designed by Danes.

·         October-March: Danes spend a lot of time inside their homes due to cold temperatures and little daylight.  So, Danes spend a good deal time on architecture to enjoy their homes to the fullest.

·         Danish Companies- Novo Nordisk (pharmaceutical company #10 in the world), LEGO (yes, the ones you build with!), Maersk (trade).  All of these companies are led by families.

·         Denmark is known for amusement parks- Created in Denmark 1843

·         Students call teachers by their first name.

·         Denmark is the number one country in the world to produce organic food. 
After ninth grade, Danes will choose one of the following things to do: Gymnasium high school (not recess at all!), business school, HTX (engineering) or trade school.

In Denmark DON’T:

1.       Ask “How are you?”

2.       Try to speak their language.

3.       Fail to signal in the bike lane-about 18 million bikes in Denmark!

4.       Wear your sweatpants in public.

5.       Smile at their children (or dogs). 

6.       Act like a human at the grocery store- very fast-get what you need and go-no conversation.