Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Polar Outreach through Worldwide Education and Research  (POWER)

Outline
POWER has two overall goals: (1)to provide the framework for a joint educational and public outreach platform in Denmark and Greenland.(2)to make a significant contribution to the international IPY public outreach efforts as an independent outreach platform and a dissemination opportunity to IPY research projects. Activities focused at the educational system will have two main objectives: -to increase recruitment of students to university level within research areas covered by IPY activities. Aimed at the upper secondary school level -to increase scientific and cultural literacy among young people (focus on awareness of and knowledge about the geography, biology, geology, glaciology, climatology, culture and society of the polar regions). Aimed at primary and secondary school levelsinclude the following: -design and implementation of in-service teacher training -development of educational materials (Internet- and paper based, TV-productions etc.) -organisation of summer schools and hands-on centre for students -organisation of polar year science fairs and student symposia -participation of pupils and teachers in research cruises and field work -science education research projects -educational services -popular science talks by researchers Activities focused at the general public will have two main objectives: -to increase the public understanding of science -to increase the public understanding and awareness of the polar regions, in particular the Arcticinclude the following: -a national polar year science fair -internet- and TV-based documentation of research projects -internet- and TV-productions about the polar regions – nature, culture, society and research -development of research-based tourism in Greenland -establishment of a polar hands-on centre in angerlussuaq, Greenland Other features:-project period: March 2006-October 2009 -two modes of outreach will be applied: dissemination and dialogue of and about research results and insights participation of audience in the research process -the national polar research community will benefit from POWER due to: well-established communication channels organisational structure, project management and logistics know-how and networks within: polar research, science communication, education and media production increased recruitment of new students new partnerships with non-scientific organisations -material will preferably be produced in Danish, Greenlandic and English. -due to logistics, most activities will be coordinated from and take place in Denmark. Several activities will be based in Greenland and other Arctic locations. Research activities in both the Arctic and Antarctic will be addressed.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
POWER is expected to:- create an increased knowledge about and awareness of the polar regions, in particular the Arctic - increase recruitment to university level education within the fields of research related to IPY-activities; a particular focus is on the increased recruitment of students in Greenland

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
POWER will include and depend upon two types of international collaboration:- with other organisations in charge of education and outreach within IPY. Informal contacts with potential candidates have been made. Formal collaborations will be established during 2005.- with international research projects on which the outreach effort will depend

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
Scientific fieldwork as such will not be a part of POWER. However, a range of activities will document scientific projects, mainly in the Arctic but to some extend also in the Antarctic. Some activities will involve transport of students/teachers to Arctic locations, possibly in company with researchers.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: 03/06-10/09            
Antarctic: 03/06-10/09            

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
POWER will not rely directly upon the facilities and infrastructure listed in Note 4. IT-platforms, media production and publishing facilities and an extensive network between shareholders in Denmark and Greenland will be established. To some extent these platforms can and will be shared with international collaborators focusing on education and outreach.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
Some of the above-mentioned outreach activities will leave a legacy :- a hands-on centre in Kangerlussuaq (GL)- a research based tourism practice (GL)- an established practice of science summer schools for pupils (GL)- IPY research exhibits (DK and GL)- educational material and educational services (DK and GL)- popular, web-based science dissemination to the public (DK and GL)

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

A range of the planned activities will rely on the support of and collaboration with researchers and research organisations performing IPY-projects in the Arctic and Antarctic.

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
NO

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?
YES

The POWER consortium is established with the specific purpose of creating a national (Denmark and Greenland) framework for the educational outreach effort in IPY and of contributing to the international IPY outreach activities. The consortium members have collaborated bi- or trilaterally in projects within science communication, polar research and science education research.

How will the project be organised and managed?
POWER will be run by a consortium of six partners (see 4.0). The daily management of POWER activities will be headed by Danish Science Communication in association with Danish Polar Center. Overall decisions are made by a steering group, representing the six partners. Collaboration with Danish and Greenland research and educational institutions, science communicators, travel agencies, media actors will be established during 2005.The consortium represents a huge national and international network and competencies within the following areas: polar research, science communication, science education, media production, publishing activities, Danish and Greenland educational system, project management, organization of large-scale outreach activities.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
POWER will not address scientific data management issues as such. Data will be collected as part of the science education research activities planned in this project. Analysis of these data will be part of the legacy of POWER, but will also inform new POWER-activities throughout the project period.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
The Danish Research Agency is expected to provide the bulk funding for the project. In addition to this, private foundations, Danish Ministry of Education, Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation as well as private companies are expected to support POWER financially.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Director Mikkel Bohm
Danish Science Communication
Tuborg Havnevej 7, Hellerup
DK-2900
Denmark

Tel: (+45) 70208620
Mobile: no
Fax: (+45) 70208621
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation