IEP students took part in a field trip to Queen Sirikit Botanic Gardens and The Elephant Poo Poo Paper Park. This excursion formed part of our ongoing exploration into Sustainability and connected learning from other subject areas including Science and Humanities.

At QSBG, we started our day with the ‘canopy’ walk, a long walkway suspended above the forest with views of the mountains and gardens below. We looked for the ‘Flying Draco’ lizard and learnt about the story of how Doi Mon Khwam Long was named. Next, we headed to the Glasshouse complex and explored the eight-themed plant collections. The Tropical Rainforest house was a definite favourite as it held some of the biggest plants found in Thailand including palms, bananas and gingers and also featured a small waterfall with koi fish. We finished our time at QSBG with a picnic lunch at the Mae Sa stream where we were able to dip our toes in the water – perfect after a morning in the sun!

In the afternoon, we headed to the Elephant Poo Poo Paper Park. where we learnt about the first person who ever made paper and the different sources that could be used – bamboo, horse poo, coconut husk, sugar cane and of course, elephant poo! Students had the opportunity to get hands-on in the paper-making process and produced some beautiful and sustainable results. They rolled the paper mixture into balls, put it into frames, added their own designs and then decorated poo-poo paper greeting cards, which they were able to take home as souvenirs.

Special mentions go to the following students for their outstanding behaviour and attitude. They emulated the IB Learner Profile attributes of ‘Risk Taker,’ ‘Principled’ and ‘Open Minded’.

• –  Bryde, Fah and Erwin for their enthusiasm and teamwork when completing Ajarn Sam’s ‘Find the plant’ activity.
• –  Kevin and Jake for volunteering to help stir the elephant poo-poo mixture.
• –  Leo for his amazing elephant artwork, which was voted class favourite. 

Cara Templeton

Head of the Intensive English Programme