Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

An Integrated Polar System Science Exhibit for the University of Alaska Museum of the North  (Polar museum exhibit)

Outline
We propose to develop an Integrated Polar System Science Exhibit for the new expanded University of Alaska Museum of the North. The University of Alaska Museum of the North is a major resource center for the public and for scholars. It promotes outreach to regional, national and international audiences on the polar environment, processes, research, indigenous communities, and local knowledge. Being strategically located in the only polar state of the US, and on the campus of the University of Alaska Fairbanks which is the hub of Arctic research, the museum has strong partnerships throughout the state and with various research institutes. The proposed exhibit will be developed on the central theme of understanding the Earth as a System. The exhibit will promote the public understanding of the Polar regions and will help to answer some key questions such as how the polar regions are changing and how they affect the global earth system; how the polar regions are responding to natural and human-induced changes; and what the consequences of such changes in the polar regions are for the human civilization. Researchers with expertise on space weather, oceanography and sea ice dynamics, geological and geophysical processes, atmospheric science, Arctic biology, Alaska native knowledge, anthropology and ethnology, and other relevant aspects of the Earth System Science will work along with museum personnel and education outreach experts in this effort. The museum exhibit will include an auditorium show, a hands-on educational kit that conforms to the state and national education content and performance standards, and museum school tours.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
The six IPY themes are central and the basis to the museum exhibit. This exhibit will function a conduit for the understanding of the IPY themes to a science attentive audience.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
International researchers in the various areas of expertise involved in polar system science, as outlined in the summary, have committed to provide input in developing the museum exhibit.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
No major field activity proposed.

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

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
Completed expanded museum building - High speed internet connections to import and display near real time data for the exhibit

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
Yes, the museum exhibit will stimulate involvement of the under-served Arctic community, along with expanding the community voice on polar issues - the exhibit will find a permanent place in the famous and unique UA museum of the North

How is it envisaged that the required logistic support will be secured?
Own national polar operator

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
Yes, the UA Museum of the North receives nearly two thirds of its funding from the public in and outside the State of Alaska, which restrengthens the public endorsement of the museum and its projects and activities. The proposed idea has been strongly endorsed by an international community of polar researchers. The proposal was also presented at workshops and conferences attended by educators from nation-wide science museums and centers, and was very well received.

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?
New

This is a new and timely project, designed to take advantage of the museums new expansion and the concurrent activities of the International Polar Year.

How will the project be organised and managed?
The Principal Investigator, who is also the director of the UA Museum of the North, will be the primary co-ordinator of the activities. Other expertise will come from a large team of exhibit curators, international rsearchers, data providers, and educators.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
The entire project serves the purpose of outreach to the general public and school age audience to promote themes central to the Internatal Polar Years.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
We will work with the data receiveing and archiving facilities at the UAF, and with data visualizations experts for assistance with data and data management issues.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
We will submit the full proposal to federal, state and local funding agencies such as NSF, NASA, NOAA, US Departments of commerce and education, the Institute of museum and library services, and the Rasmuson Foundation.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Pro Aldona Jonaitis
907 Yukon Dr.
Fairbanks - AK
99775-6960
USA

Tel: 1-907-4746939
Mobile: no
Fax: no
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation