Schools on Board
Exploring Arctic Sciences
Exploring Arctic Sciences
Background
Schools on Board is an outreach program of Arctic marine science and research, based out of the Faculty of Environment at the University of Manitoba (Winnipeg, Canada). It was developed to bridge Arctic research with science education in high schools across Canada; to increase awareness of issues related to climate change in Canada, and to excite young Canadians about the challenges and career opportunities of Arctic research. The main thrust of the program is the Field Program "on board" the CCGS Amundsen. Schools are given the unique opportunity to send students and teachers to the Arctic, on board the CCGS Amundsen to participate in an educational experience completely integrated into the research activities of the ArcticNet science team.
During International Polar Year, Schools on Board will offer 2 International Field Programs and one Circumpolar Inuit Field Program in conjunction with the IPY-CFL study. High school students, teachers, and Inuit youth leaders from Canada, Norway, Sweden, Scotland, England, Germany, Spain, China, Russia, and Greenland, will have the opportunity to board the icebreaker and participate in an experiential science education program aimed at introducing them to the scientific and indigenous knowledge related to climate change research in the Arctic.
The program includes 3 components:
Schools on Board Network
This network continues to evolve with the program. It is the primary communication tool used to link schools to one another and schools to Canadian Arctic research programs – creating an opportunity for schools to link or expand their curriculum around active research projects and build partnerships with research institutions. Members of the network receive email notifications of upcoming field opportunities, and other Schools on Board initiatives.
To Join the network
Send an email with your contact information to: barberL@cc.umanitoba.ca
Field program
A team of 12 high school students and accompanying teachers (S2-S4; Gr.10-12; secondaire 4/5) is identified from selected schools, to travel to the Arctic and participate in the research activities of science teams, onboard the Canadian research icebreaker (CCGS Amundsen).
Programming "onboard" includes presentations, group projects, lab activities, fieldwork, and lectures with graduate students and nationally/internationally recognized scientists from the university and government sector. Students are introduced to research objectives and methods of a number of different disciplines, including (but not limited to): oceanography, physical geography, biology, chemistry, meteorology, zoology, geology, and climatology. The educational program also introduces participants to "two ways of knowing" – the traditional and scientific approaches to understanding the complexities and interconnectedness of the Arctic environment. Each trip includes at least one northern community visit to introduce participants to northern culture and knowledge.
Next trip:
Winter 2008: Schools on Board goes International for International Polar Year!
** International Field Programs
Trip #1 February 29th – March 13, 2008;
Trip #2 April 12th - April 27th, 2008
** Circumpolar Inuit Field Program
July 15 – 27th, 2008
Location: Western Canadian High Arctic, South of Banks Island in the Beaufort Sea.
Arctic Climate Change Youth Forum
Every two years, Schools on Board will co-host a youth forum that will coincide with an international science meeting or conference. The two day event will include one day of discussion sessions and workshops aimed at engaging high school students with graduate students in the complex discussions around Arctic science and climate change. The second day will be integrated into the science conference, giving students and teachers an opportunity to attend and present at poster sessions, interact with graduate students and researchers, attend lectures and, discover the diversity of opportunities that exist in the field of Arctic research. Participants from the previous field program will be invited to attend and share their Arctic research experiences.
Next forum:
- December, 2008 - in conjunction with the 2008 ArcticNet Science Meeting – Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
- May, 2009 – in conjunction with the 2009 IPY-CFL Science Meeting – Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Schools on Board is an outreach program of Arctic marine science and research, based out of the Faculty of Environment at the University of Manitoba (Winnipeg, Canada). It was developed to bridge Arctic research with science education in high schools across Canada; to increase awareness of issues related to climate change in Canada, and to excite young Canadians about the challenges and career opportunities of Arctic research. The main thrust of the program is the Field Program "on board" the CCGS Amundsen. Schools are given the unique opportunity to send students and teachers to the Arctic, on board the CCGS Amundsen to participate in an educational experience completely integrated into the research activities of the ArcticNet science team.
During International Polar Year, Schools on Board will offer 2 International Field Programs and one Circumpolar Inuit Field Program in conjunction with the IPY-CFL study. High school students, teachers, and Inuit youth leaders from Canada, Norway, Sweden, Scotland, England, Germany, Spain, China, Russia, and Greenland, will have the opportunity to board the icebreaker and participate in an experiential science education program aimed at introducing them to the scientific and indigenous knowledge related to climate change research in the Arctic.
The program includes 3 components:
Schools on Board Network
This network continues to evolve with the program. It is the primary communication tool used to link schools to one another and schools to Canadian Arctic research programs – creating an opportunity for schools to link or expand their curriculum around active research projects and build partnerships with research institutions. Members of the network receive email notifications of upcoming field opportunities, and other Schools on Board initiatives.
To Join the network
Send an email with your contact information to: barberL@cc.umanitoba.ca
Field program
A team of 12 high school students and accompanying teachers (S2-S4; Gr.10-12; secondaire 4/5) is identified from selected schools, to travel to the Arctic and participate in the research activities of science teams, onboard the Canadian research icebreaker (CCGS Amundsen).
Programming "onboard" includes presentations, group projects, lab activities, fieldwork, and lectures with graduate students and nationally/internationally recognized scientists from the university and government sector. Students are introduced to research objectives and methods of a number of different disciplines, including (but not limited to): oceanography, physical geography, biology, chemistry, meteorology, zoology, geology, and climatology. The educational program also introduces participants to "two ways of knowing" – the traditional and scientific approaches to understanding the complexities and interconnectedness of the Arctic environment. Each trip includes at least one northern community visit to introduce participants to northern culture and knowledge.
Next trip:
Winter 2008: Schools on Board goes International for International Polar Year!
** International Field Programs
Trip #1 February 29th – March 13, 2008;
Trip #2 April 12th - April 27th, 2008
** Circumpolar Inuit Field Program
July 15 – 27th, 2008
Location: Western Canadian High Arctic, South of Banks Island in the Beaufort Sea.
Arctic Climate Change Youth Forum
Every two years, Schools on Board will co-host a youth forum that will coincide with an international science meeting or conference. The two day event will include one day of discussion sessions and workshops aimed at engaging high school students with graduate students in the complex discussions around Arctic science and climate change. The second day will be integrated into the science conference, giving students and teachers an opportunity to attend and present at poster sessions, interact with graduate students and researchers, attend lectures and, discover the diversity of opportunities that exist in the field of Arctic research. Participants from the previous field program will be invited to attend and share their Arctic research experiences.
Next forum:
- December, 2008 - in conjunction with the 2008 ArcticNet Science Meeting – Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
- May, 2009 – in conjunction with the 2009 IPY-CFL Science Meeting – Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Introduction Clip
