Teachers Experiencing Antarctica and the Arctic
Background The National Science Foundation (NSF)
sponsors the Teachers Experiencing Antarctica and
the Arctic (TEA) program to provide opportunities
for classroom teachers to participate in scientific
research. The program is facilitated by the American
Museum of Natural History, New York City; the Cold
Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory, Hanover,
New Hampshire; and Rice University, Houston, Texas.
Through the program, teachers boost their own research
skills and learn ways to engage students in topics
related to polar research.
The program also has established a collaborative Polar
Learning Community of teachers, students, administrators,
researchers and interested members of the public.
Teacher participation Approximately six teachers
are selected in a national competition to take part
in the program for each polar region. They attend
a week-long orientation, prepare for their field work
with their research team, and spend three to eight
weeks in the field. While in the field, teachers convey
their experiences to classrooms through electronic
field journals, mailings and the Internet.
Upon their return, the teachers work with the support
of their school districts to bring the polar research
experience into their classrooms. They develop classroom
materials and engage other teachers in the process
of science.
TEA Associates Program All teachers can take
part in the TEA program, which provides opportunities
to bring polar research experience into the classroom.
The TEA associates collaborate with others in the
Polar Learning Community to incorporate on-line journals
and electronic communications into their classroom.
Associates, TEAs and researchers discuss current science
topics and new discoveries, develop and test classroom
materials, and identify and share polar resources
and information.
For more information, see http://tea.rice.edu
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