ALMA SCHRADER KIDS LEARN THROUGH FIESTA

"When God made Eden, he thought in America." -- a popular Central American saying coined by Nino Bravo.

With its Mayan ruins, Spanish architecture, beautiful flowers and exotic climate, Central America could easily have been the inspiration for a Garden of Eden, natives say.

A group of college students from seven Central American countries presented information about their native lands at a fiesta Wednesday at Alma Schrader School. The students are Fulbright scholars at Southeast Missouri State University.

The event was organized by sixth grade teacher Rosa Boswell as part of a social studies project on the region. Sixth grade classes recently spent three weeks reading about Central American culture, geography and climate.

The fiesta was a hands-on experience. Bethany Burchyett, Aaron Schneider and Justin Wells enjoyed learning things about Central America that they didn't find in a book, the students said.

Seeing traditional costumes or learning the steps to a folk dance were part of the fiesta activities. The 88 sixth grade students also visited booths on geography, tourism, flags, plants and animals, and language.

"They know a lot of the history and geography," said Balford Vargas from Nicaragua. "They have a true knowledge."

Most of the students he talked to wanted to learn more about the environment and animals, he said, adding that the children didn't ask foolish questions.

The most frequently asked questions were about differences in traditions and archaeology.

Karina Marroquin, who is from Guatemala, talked to students about Mayan Indians and the tourism industry in Central America. The principal place tourists visit in either Guatemala or Honduras are Mayan ruins, she said.

"They ask how the Mayans built," Marroquin said of student questions. "I told them that now scientists are studying it."

Since there are no direct descendants of the Mayan people, finding information about their past is difficult, she added.

But information about the popular culture and folk traditions is easily accessible. "All schools teach folklore," said Karen Romero from Panama. She and Hector Alfonso taught the steps to "La Denesa," a Panamanian folk dance.

The Central American natives are studying in the United States for two and a half years as part of the Fulbright Scholars program. All 12 of them already have completed at least two years of college, said Elsie Miller, who helped coordinate the program.