It wasn?t easy, but the GoNorth! team recently wrapped up one of the most successful adventure learning programs to-date, bringing millions of K-12 students worldwide along for the ride. The team had the rare opportunity to travel through the Russian Arctic, visiting five indigenous communities while bringing the issues of global climate change and exploitation of the earth?s natural resources to the forefront. And to think, the expedition was almost over before it began.
After traveling more than 4,000 miles from Michigan to Alaska to kick-off the trek throughout Chukotka, Russia, the remaining 50 miles to cross the Bering Strait into Russia proved unexpectedly difficult. Detained on U.S. territory in Nome, Alaska for more than a month, the GoNorth! team could see their expedition starting point, but could not set foot there - visa problems, plane troubles, Polar Husky immunizations and supply tax issues caused a tangle of delays. Through patience and perseverance, the team finally gained clearance to enter Russia and continue its extraordinary effort to deliver online Arctic education to participating K-12 classrooms worldwide from one of the most remote places in the world.
The GoNorth! standards-aligned curriculum meets national education guidelines and provides a unique and fun environment to get students excited about learning. Using the Internet as a primary teaching tool, the program's web site allows students around the globe to collaborate with topic experts, indigenous peoples, each other and Team GoNorth! live in the field. The state-of the-art online learning environment enlists multi-media tools so the students can experience the Arctic as if they were there themselves.
?This learning approach is fresh, innovative and interactive?the kids just love it,? said Teacher Explorer Jeff Sipper. ?This goes beyond anything students can learn in a text book. The program involves the students from the start, giving them a sense of empowerment and a feeling that they are a part of something unique. It helps them realize they can make a difference in the world.?
?GoNorth! is an education program with every day on the trail consumed with collecting data, multimedia and experiences that relate to the week?s given classroom activities and module themes? explains Mille Porsild, Program Director and team member. ?We conduct weekly expert chats, daily audio updates and every Friday it is ?Education Day? ? a day of no travel. Starting at 5 a.m., we warm the computers in our sleeping bags and work more than twenty hours to provide the weekly trail update. Our Thrane & Thrane high-speed satellite communication system enables us to upload text, audio, movies and images to servers online. The Education Basecamp team at the University of Minnesota then work to make the update live the following Monday morning at 8 a.m. CST when students and teachers on six continents log in.?
Teacher Explorer Jeff Sipper, a fifth grade teacher at Cuyana Range Elementary School in Crosby, Minn., was selected as the 2007 Teacher Explorer based on a nationwide selection process and accompanied the team for two weeks on the trail. Sipper has been using the GoNorth! curriculum in his classroom since 2004.
?This has been the experience of a lifetime,? said Sipper. ?I am inspired and more committed than ever to the value of bringing the Arctic into the classroom. Educating students about climate change and the responsibilities we each have as individuals in handling the earth?s natural resources are some of the most important things we can teach today.?
To learn more about the program or for teachers to sign up to be the 2008 Teacher Explorer Click Here
