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May 25, 2001
SUSTAINING THE WORLD VIA THE CLASSROOM
>> LOCATION: CAIRNS, AUSTRALIA
>> DATE: MAY 25th, 2001
>> SECTION: AUSTRALIAN LEG
Presenting teachers of both upper primary and high school students with an interactive and curriculum-rich experience on the Internet, Expedition 360 is a unique opportunity to involve students in the first human powered around-the-world expedition, first hand.
Carrying out both the physical journey and the educational co-ordination for the project, Jason Lewis explains that it became vital to expand the project beyond its initial promotion of sustainable and environmental responsibility as "after 7 years and 36,000 km of pedaling you feel the need to invest in something very real and tangible – like kids. Hence the educational project."
The project involves a partnership with the educational arm of World Wildlife Fund (UK) with possible direct links being developed between Australian and UK schools keen to be involved in Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) (www.wwflearning.co.uk)).
Between July and October 2001, Expedition 360 will be completing a mountain bike ride through the challenging interior of Australia, involving not just Lewis but a team of Australian and International teachers and students. Via satellite, the team will be delivering a wide range of media to the event website (www.goals.com/expedition360/).
Covering a multitude of curriculum areas, the next leg will produce resources relating to environmental concerns, physical and human Geography, History, Indigenous cultural studies, English, Numeracy and Information Technology.
With over 400 schools already visited worldwide and with Smithfield SHS in Cairns now involved, it is hoped that other Australian schools will take up the invitation to become part of a global chain of empathy and cultural exchange.
Inviting teachers and students of Information Technology to take part in real-life activities, the opportunity exists for schools to assist the team directly in exploring the most effective and dynamic technological avenues for delivering resources to students on the Internet.
Taking part in this epic in the making which has demonstrated why whales think pedal boats make the best scratching posts and how inline skating in Colorado can be hazardous to your health, constitutes a rare chance to involve students in an historic event as it unfolds.
For further information about the project and the next Australian leg, contact Jason Lewis at jason@expedition360.com or visit the project’s homepage at www.goals.com.
(Karen van Harskamp, Social Science/English Teacher @ vanka@bigpond.com)
>> END
Posted by jason at May 25, 2001 11:45 AM