Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Polar Explorer: Education and Outreach for the IPY  (Polar Explorer)

Outline
We propose an integrated education and outreach strategy linking historical exploration with active research programs to increase understanding of the environmental conditions in the polar regions. (1) A major traveling museum exhibition or a series of exhibition modules, focused on exploring the changing poles. By contrasting historical exploration and modern research, the exhibits will convey the sense of wonder of discovery and the evidence of change evident today. (2) An interactive computer game, “Polar Explorer” or “Ice Survivor,” that simulates polar conditions using modern data. The software would include actual environmental conditions, physics of snow, ice and air as well as role-playing and decision-making activities. By reproducing conditions that would be encountered in the field, users will be engaged in understanding the extreme conditions at the poles. Because the conditions will be based on actual data, natural variability will cause different outcomes for different years, thereby creating an element of suspense. The game could be used in conjunction with reading, or perhaps viewing films, about historical expeditions and modern research. (3) A nationally-televised Polar Film Festival, which would highlight the first IPY, major expeditions to the poles, and the IGY, and link these efforts with ongoing IPY 2007-9 research. Possibilities include both existing and new films featuring: Greely, Boas, Murdoch, De Long, Nansen, Peary and Henson, Cook, Scott and Amundsen, Steffanson, Shackleton. (4) Establishment of a Matthew Henson Center in Manhattanville. Building on the success of Matthew Henson Center established by the Earth Conservation Corps along the Anacostia River, we propose establishment of a Matthew Henson Environmental Center in Manhattanville, New York City along the Hudson. The Center would be the nexus of interaction between the Harlem community, Columbia, Barnard, the American Museum of Natural History, and the ECC. Focused on environmental research, education and outreach, this collaborative program would use the black-American Arctic explorer Matthew Henson as a role model for young adults from Harlem.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
The multifaceted “Polar Explorer” programs and activities will facilitate understanding of the polar regions within the context of ongoing research. Polar Explorer will use interest in polar exploration and the extreme conditions at the poles to connect the general public and school populations to current understanding of polar environments and change.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
The Polar Film festival could be shown sequentially – or simultaneously around the world. The interactive computer game would have wide-ranging impact as people simulate historical expeditions using modern and reconstructed historical data. Exhibit modules could travel internationally.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
Field work will involve shooting footage for the new films, for example Ellesmere Island and the “Big Lead” for the Peary-Henson vs. Cook. Other activities will not require field work but will involve the entire regions encompassed by both poles.

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

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
Field logistics are needed for shooting the new films. The film series could be coordinated with the “Ice Quest: The Past and Future of Antarctica” IPY proposal of Evan Hadingham. The education and outreach programs will require extensive design and use of web-served material that could be shared with others – for example the POLAR-POST proposal of Mark McCaffery and others. The exhibition modules could also be designed in conjunction, and shared with, national efforts in other countries.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
All web-based materials for the Polar Explorer will be archived in digital form available through the Internet, leaving a lasting legacy for IPY. The films and computer game will have lasting interest and impact and they can be reshown/used in the future. We propose that the Mathew Henson Center in Manhattanville be sustained in the future by resources obtained through Columbia and the City of New York.

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

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
The proposed activities have been presented and discussed at a Polar Education and Outreach workshop led by Pfirman and Bell, and supported by NSF in Washington DC in June 2004. We plan to bring this specific proposal to the attention of the US national IPY 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?
New

How will the project be organised and managed?
The PIs propose to manage the projects in conjunction with an advisory team. We will link with other related programs, including the ones noted above: "POLAR POST" and "Ice Quest."

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
This project is focused on Education, Outreach and Communication. Our intent is to engage people so that they know more, and care more, about polar regions. We plan to work with professional evaluators to help design, test, and improve our products.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
We plan to work closely with the National Snow and Ice Data Center to serve and manage the database for the interactive computer game/resource.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
We plan to submit a proposal, or proposals, for funding to the National Science Foundation.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
People are fascinated by life under the extreme conditions that exist in the polar regions. We propose to design an integrated and multifaceted suite of Polar Explorer programs that will tap into that fascination and thereby reach a broad audience, raise awareness and create new understanding.

PROPOSER DETAILS

Pro Stephanie Pfirman
Barnard College, Columbia University
3009 Broadway
New York, New York
10027
USA

Tel: 212-854-5120
Mobile: 201-281-1367
Fax: 212-854-5760
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation