Expressions of Intent for IPY 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Youth Links Student Symposium  

Outline
The Historica Foundation, and the Department of Education, Culture and Employment of the Government of the Northwest Territories, are collaborating to hold the 2007 annual Historica Youth Links student symposium in Yellowknife, NWT. Youth Links is a collaborative online learning program that connects high school students across Canada to discuss relevant global issues. The culmination of the annual Youth Links program is a symposium where several hundred students selected by their schools meet for face-to-face discussions. Historica is a non-profit educational foundation whose mission is to ‘help all Canadians come to know the fascinating stories that make our country unique.’ The Historica Foundation undertakes to develop all on-line and classroom materials for the chosen theme, and to provide financial and logistical support for the student symposium. The GNWT Department of Education, Culture and Employment has a dual mandate for K-12 education and cultural preservation in the NWT. It has extensive experience developing learning resources that incorporate Aboriginal culture-based teaching and learning. In recognition of the International Polar Year, the 2007 Youth Links symposium will have a northern theme. Provisionally, this theme is 'Wisdom from the Past', and is intended to give Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal students common ground for discussing environmental knowledge with specific reference to northern issues.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
High schools students throughout Canada (and perhaps in other polar nations) will engage in on-line research and discussion of issues relating to Themes 1-3 and 4-6. Modules will be developed on a variety of topics that will embrace, often seamlessly, the natural and social sciences. The tangible legacies of the project will include an enduring website on the topics chosen for discussion, as well as learning support materials. More importantly, the online activities and the symposium will create greater awareness and interest in northern issues amongst high school students, and may influence choices for post-secondary education and careers. On a more general level, the project will show participants that different cultures have their own ways of generating and communicating knowledge.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
Through the IPY Youth Steering Committee, at least two students will be invited from each circumpolar nation to participate in the Youth Links symposium.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
Not applicable (although field trips around Yellowknife will be organized for students attending the symposium).

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: Youth Links on-line activities: September 2006 to March 2007      Youth Links student symposium: March 2007      
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
The Historica Foundation and the Department of Education, Culture and Employment will provide logistic support as required (i.e. select students for the symposium, and make travel and accommodation arrangements)

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
Yes: a website hosted by Historica Foundation, and teaching and learning resources.

How is it envisaged that the required logistic support will be secured?

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
Yes - Provisional endorsement for the project has been given by: • The Historica Foundation (a national educational foundation) • The IPY Youth Steering Committee

PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND STRUCTURE

Is the project a short-term expansion (over the IPY 2007-2008 timeframe) of an existing plan, programme or initiative or is it a new autonomous proposal?
No
Historica Foundation has successfully implemented Youth Links student symposia on other topics of national and global interest in various parts of Canada.

How will the project be organised and managed?
The project will be jointly managed by the Historica Goundation and the GNWT Department of Education, Culture and Employment through a Steering Committee with representatives from both organizations, from the IPY Youth Steering Committee. Several students from across Canada will also be recruited to the Steering Committee.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
The entire project addresses these themes/goals.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document)?

How is it proposed to fund the project?
The Historica Foundation will undertake to raise the major portion of the costs associated with the project, which is estimated to require $300,000. The GNWT Department of Education, Culture and Employment will contribute support-in-kind, but at present a $50,000 shortfall has been identified. Historica and the GNWT Department of Education, Culture and Employment will develop a fundraising strategy.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Dr. Charles Arnold
Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre
PO Box 1320
Yellowknife, NWT
X1A 2L9
Canada

Tel: (867) 873-7551
Mobile:
Fax: (867) 873-0205
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation

Other Information