Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

ICE E-MYSTERIES: Global Student Polar e-books  (ICE E-Mysteries)

Outline
Twenty-six middle school classes (grades 5-8) will be paired across the Northern and Southern Hemispheres (13 from Australia and 13 from Alaska). Each of the paired classes will write and illustrate a collaborative web-based book based on polar science themes.The process will be based on the successful project Hidden Secrets of Skull Island (a joint project of James Cook University and the University of Queensland Bright Minds program). In this project, a Year 6 class of students worked with Bright Minds staff to write and illustrate an adventure/mystery book focused on the coastal environment. The team (consisting of classroom teacher, student teacher, Bright Minds science educator, and UQ Master’s degree marine studies student) developed a process that involved the entire class in writing and illustrating one book. The book was published by James Cook University Press, along with a supplementary teachers’ guide on CD.This process will be adapted and expanded to involve students from around Australia and Alaska, USA, in the creation of a web-based story focused on Antarctica and/or the Arctic. The web-based design will permit the paired classes to develop alternating story segments across the differing time zones of the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, using the web platform as the collaborative work space and editing tool. After the end of IPY, the book and stories will be made accessible to teachers on CD Rom.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
The project will foster the next generation of polar researchers and help educate the public about the science and the importance of the polar regions. It will accomplish this by linking active researchers, university students, teachers and middle school students in a collaborative project. The books will be made widely available worldwide through electronic media.By pairing participants (at all levels) across the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, it will promote a greater understanding of both polar regions.The project will also involve remote schools in both Alaska and Australia, allowing participants to explore social and human aspects as well as natural science.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
The project involves the University of the Arctic (UArctic) in Fairbanks, Alaska, USA; the University of Alaska; the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery; the International Antarctic Institute and the University of Tasmania in Australia as well as schools from around Alaska, Tasmania and Queensland.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
The schools involved in the project are located around Alaska, USA and Tasmania, Australia, with one additional school in Queensland, Australia.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: n/a
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
The classroom teachers will be provided with: · the web-platform for the collaboration with links to relevant polar educational sites.· the methodology for the collaborative approach to developing a story and utilising the combined areas of art, literacy and science for educational outcomes.· two 2-day workshops (one in Fairbanks and one in Hobart) to introduce teachers to the methodology, provide a grounding in some of the science and develop partnerships with teacher associates.· support for the life of the project from teacher associates (postgraduate students from the Institute of Antarctic & Southern Ocean Studies [IASOS] at the University of Tasmania) and the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) who will be paired to specific schools through email contact and, where possible, classroom visits.· a promotional and sharing platform for their final work.· editorial and art support from Australian children’s authors Alison Lester and Coral Tullich.· graphic design support to present the developing books.· a final product of a CD of the 13 different books, with opportunities for hard copies of the books to be printed.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
Thirteen collaborative books will be produced by the project. These books will be available worldwide via the internet or on CD.

How is it envisaged that the required logistic support will be secured?
Own support
Other sources of support

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
National level in Australia

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?
This is a new project that would fit within the University of the Arctic IPY Higher Education Outreach Cluster (Endorsed Proposal #189) and would complement the International Antarctic Institute project (EOI #415).

How will the project be organised and managed?
Overall project management is through the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery. Staff from the International Antarctic Institute will assist with project coordination and postgraduate student mentors will be drawn from the Hobart-based research organisations and the University of Tasmania and hence their contact with classes internationally will be through the web and email.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
This is an education project that involves several levels including polar researchers, university staff, museums, university students, teachers and schools. A web platform will be used for project collaboration and communication as well as face-to face interactions when possible and emails.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
An evaluation component will be included in the project as required by the funding agency or agencies. This will collect data on the process and the effectiveness of the approach in promoting learning about polar topics, as well as science, literacy and arts education international collaborations.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
The Australian part of the project is being funded through an Australian Schools Initiative in Science, Technology and Mathematics (ASISTM) grant from the Department of Education, Science and Training (DEST). This funding will cover all aspects of the international class partnerships except for the teacher workshop component for northern hemisphere schools or student field trips to relevant research organisations or museums.. The Alaskan part of the project including the Alaska teacher workshop, will be funded through a Univ. of Alaska IPY Education Outreach Project GLOBE Seasons and Biomes, a National Science Foundation (NSF) funded project that is included in the UArctic IPY Higher Education Outreach cluster, potential funding from an NSF proposal for a grant to help support the project in Alaska. and in-kind contributions from organizations e.g. the Alaska Young Researchers Network, and projects e.g. the Alaska Statewide Mentor program and the GK-12 Teaching Alaskans Sharing Knowledge project (graduate fellows sharing their science expertise and partnered with a teacher in the K-12 classroom).

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Mr Andy Baird
Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery (TMAG)
GPO Box 1164
Hobart, Tasmania
7001
Australia

Tel: +61 3 6211 4127
Mobile: 0437 514 127
Fax: no
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation