Alaska Project
Introduction and Summary
"The 'SURFACE' of Alaska"
THE PROJECT:
In "The 'SURFACE' of Alaska" project, Bill Surface, a retired teacher, will be traveling to remote parts of Alaska during the months of August and September, 1996. While there, he will be transmitting via computer and telecommunications including the Internet, information and educational activities.
This is a joint project between the Hildreth Public Schools in Hildreth, NE, and the Educational Service Unit #11 in Holdrege, NE. ESU #11's role is to coordinate the Internet and other technological aspects of the project.
Some of the initial objectives and activities are:
- 1) Show that technology can be utilized from anywhere on the globe
- 2) Teach students about plant and animal life in a different biome
- 3) Learn more about the ecology in this biome
- 4) Show the different geological formations that are unique to the area
- 5) Interview native Alaskans on changes in the environment caused by pollution in the last twenty years
- 6) Observe if man has made any impact in remote areas
- 7) Interview teachers in Alaska on education in remote areas and what technology they are using
- 8) Assess how fragile the environment is
- 9) Interview native Alaskans to learn their feelings about oil exploration
- 10) Compare costs of living between Alaska and the lower 48 states
- 11) Motivate the students to learn through the integration of this project into the curriculum including: Multicultural Education, Math, Science, Language Arts, Social Studies, Industrial Technology, Art, Health, and Consumer Science.
Data transmitted from Mr. Surface will be posted on the Internet through an interactive World Wide Web Site and/or email distribution lists. Information transferred will include text, pictures, graphics. Mr. Surface will be using a GPS (global positioning system) to record his exact locations daily. Students from schools participating in this project may share the information both with Mr. Surface, and with other participating schools.
DATES OF THIS PROJECT
First excursion is approximately August 6 to August 20.
Second excursion is approximately September 1 to September 20.
HOW TO GET INVOLVED IN THIS PROJECT
To become involved with this project you will need to:
- Submit your name, school's name, grade level, and address (e-mail address if possible) to the
'SURFACE' of Alaska Project.
- We will post frequent information about the project and the Alaskan exploration. We encourage you to submit questions for Bill Surface as soon as possible and we will post answers for your viewing. All questions asked prior to August 24 will be answered before the September 1 departure.
- View this site frequently and follow Surface on his exploration of this remote Alaskan area.
IMPROVING THE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT FOR STUDENTS:
This project will be exciting and informational for students as they participate and follow, via the Internet, the travels and explorations of someone in a remote location. Student's direct interaction with Mr. Surface will provide an understanding of this region and its fragile environment in a way that textbooks cannot.
DIRECT IMPACT FOR STUDENTS:
With Internet capabilities, participation in this project has the potential to be worldwide. Geography and science classes are a natural fit for this project, however participation will not, and should not, be limited to these curricular areas. All curriculum areas may participate in this on-line activity. This project lends itself easily to cross-curricular activities in all grade levels.
INCORPORATING TECHNOLOGY IN THE CLASSROOM:
Participating classes will gain experience in email and WWW browsing. Participation in activities involving telecommunications provides global learning opportunities. Participation in this project will help students learn about other environments and cultures, as well as provide an incentive for students to develop good writing and communication skills.
EVALUATION OF THE PROJECT:
An evaluation form will be sent to each participating school that participates in this project. The evaluation will measure the effectiveness and benefits of the overall project.
SHARING THE PROJECT WITH OTHERS:
This project will be available to teachers and students on the Internet, with follow up information after Mr. Surface has returned. Bill Surface is looking forward to personal follow-up visits with participating classes. Visits can be arranged upon Mr. Surface's return.
SUPPORTERS:
This project provides an ideal way to show how technology can be used in the classroom from anywhere on the globe. Students from Nebraska, as well as other states, will have the opportunity to participate and learn. The text and graphics transmitted will allow students to participate in telecommunications and environmental studies through all curricular areas. Due to the innovative nature of the "Surface of Alaska" project, and the fact that Nebraska students will benefit from this project, N.E.T.A. (Nebraska Educational Technology Association), Cabela's, Coleman Powermate, Inc., Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology Act for FY96, Educational Service Unit #11, the Hildreth Public Schools and others have donated equipment and provided funding for this project. Without their support this project would not be possible and we thank them.
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