By: Laras Larasati

There is something different about the Chinese New Year celebration at Bodhisatta School Tangerang this year. If previously the event was only filled with Chinese arts, such as lion dance, liong, and oriental music, then on Saturday (08/02) the Panda Mobile environmental education truck enlivened the event to welcome the Year of the Wooden Horse.

Exactly at 08.00, around 482 students from kindergarten to junior high school along with teachers and parents were seated neatly in the School Hall for the opening ceremony and entertainment of the Lion Dance performed by a number of Bodhisatta School students. The event became more lively with the appearance of Kak Ryan who invited the audience to sing and move together. A boisterous atmosphere was created when Kak Ryan inserted jokes in between the children's songs and tales about the Red Dragon and the dangers of littering that he brought. Some kindergarten and elementary school students even came to the front of the stage because they were so enthusiastic.

After listening to the story about the environment, the teachers then divided the students into several groups. The kindergarten group will return to their homes, while the elementary school group in grades 1-3 are invited to leave the hall and explore the Panda Mobile arena. The students' attention was immediately divided, because various exciting activities awaited them. There are students who can't wait to get on the Panda Mobile to read the book collection and color the cute animal pictures. However, not a few students immediately stormed the educational games that had been held on the field. Apart from the games "Engklek Harimau Sumatera" and "Marine Life", the students were also interested in the game "Gajah Jalan-Jalan ke Sungai". This game is the first time it has been played at Panda Mobile. In this game, students will play the role of an elephant who goes through the wilderness to bathe in the river. However, on the way he encounters various obstacles as well as favors that can speed up the journey to the finish line (the river). Bodhisatta students can learn unique facts about animals from these games.

Meanwhile, the higher level students, grades 4-6 elementary school and 7-9 junior high school, gathered in the hall for a waste management activity. In groups, they were busy transforming cardboard and carton waste into photo frames. To beautify the frames, some easily found everyday materials such as mung bean seeds, soy beans, and colorful ribbons were used. Reren, a grade 5 student, admitted that Panda Mobile activities were fun and her favorite was the Red Dragon story from Kak Ryan. However, she regretted that the time provided was limited, so she and her friends in grades 4-6 did not have time to play in the Panda Mobile arena. "I want Panda Mobile to come here again!" she pleaded.