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65 educators, scientists and media specialists gathered at the "Bridging the Poles" workshop in Washington, DC on June 23-25, 2004. The goals of the NSF-sponsored workshop were to define strategies that will engage the next generation of polar scientists, engineers and leaders, and inspire the general public. This workshop was the first major community effort to develop an integrated education and outreach program that would maximize the potential of the International Polar Year.
With their geographic foundation, the poles encompass multiple content areas ranging from science to culture and heritage. Workshop participants advocated capturing student interest and increasing science literacy in the general public by linking fascination with polar environments, to improving science, math, reading, and other skills, while integrating polar themes into state and national standards.
Workshop Topics and Recommendations:
Cross–Cutting themes
Capitalize on the fascination with life in extreme environments, linking the world with the worlds at the end of the Earth, focus on heritage and history.
Employ place-based, multi and interdisciplinary approach; field experiences; link research with education face-to-face; leverage existing resources as well as create new programs; build capacity through people and infrastructure.
Objectives & Strategies
Target learners at all levels
OBJECTIVES – public engagement in polar regions, lifelong public literacy, beyond science to math, reading…
STRATEGIES - K-5 – capitalize on natural interest; 6-12 – incorporate in standard curricula; Undergraduate non-science majors – engaging material; Undergraduate and graduate science students – field experiences; General public and continuing education – links to history, art, heritage
Engage diverse populations
OBJECTIVES - broaden diversity of polar science researchers, engage Arctic residents including indigenous populations
STRATEGIES – direct interaction with Arctic natives and residents, ethnic, gender, geographic and international and socio-economic diversity
Leverage the importance and excitement of polar science
OBJECTIVES – roles of the poles in global system, multi/interdisciplinary, new generation of polar scientists, engineers and leaders
STRATEGIES – appreciation for nature and nature-society interactions focusing on: life in extreme environments, heritage/community/pride of place, environmental variability and change, policy and stewardship, science as a human endeavor
Effective education and outreach infrastructure for increased science literacy
OBJECTIVES – Long-term involvement of educators and scientists, reinforcing partnerships, linking communities around the globe
STRATEGIES – Coordinating body with working group and staff, dynamic/sustained/one-stop polar research and education web-site, high-bandwidth communications
IPY potential
Integrated research and education: coordination/synergy between research and education and outreach projects with flexibility in design and size; large collaborative projects with national and international level impact, connect with press events, educational programming, spin local programs off large programs, sustained transformation of local or target communities
Implementation
ducation and outreach leadership, community building and management connected with research programs – need a US Education and Outreach working group, need an international Education and Outreach working group, need staff – need funding for coordination of existing, and development of new, projects. July 2005 follow up workshop.
Measuring success
Polar research captures the imagination of the public, people know more and care more about the poles, we inspire a new generation of polar scientists with increased representation from native populations, ethnically, socio-economically, geographically, and gender diverse populations, mechanisms are in place to sustain infrastructure and partnerships into the future.
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