Polar Outreach Catalogue

A 1-year educational outreach initiative based on the IPY 2007 SIMBA expedition and an elementary level (2nd & 3rd) bilingual education (Spanish language dominant learners) classroom in a south Texas school will be described. The educational objective of this outreach effort was to provide opportunities for the development of scientific language and knowledge (as well as general academic linguistic abilities in both English and Spanish) in a target group of special-needs, at-risk children in the context of the science objectives, experiences, and outcomes of the 2007 SIMBA expedition. The primary educational model is that of creating a year-round learning environment and development of curricula that integrates science content with literacy activities. In this model, students study a thematic science unit through hands-on experimentation, research, reading, creative and guided writing, as well as grammar and vocabulary activities to acquire knowledge and understanding of their environment as well as to foster dual language development. The unique opportunity provided by multiple classroom visitations and presentations by the SIMBA principal investigator and science personnel (graduate students) both before and after the expedition, coupled with interactive communications (satellite phone conversations and email) and data sharing between scientists and children during the 2-month cruise, and the involvement of older (5th & 6th grade) students in mentoring and teaching, built a highly successful Antarctic sea ice study theme as the foundation for academic success.