Kids Study Wetlands in Virtual Expedition
Client Centers Network
--Kids study wetlands in virtual expedition
Some Valley kids will soon stomp through the wetlands of Louisiana
without ever leaving their classrooms or homes.
The "JASON Expedition: Disappearing Wetlands" kicks off today with
know99 Television airing live footage of the science project on Cox
Cable Channel 99 or Qwest Cable Channel 20 in Phoenix, Glendale, Tempe
and parts of Scottsdale.
Some Valley schools, including the Clarendon School in Phoenix, will
also air delayed tapings of the expedition.
Launched in 1989, JASON is an interdisciplinary classroom program that
culminates with more than a dozen students and teachers conducting
on-site research with scientists. The project is named after the Greek
mythology tale of Jason and the Argonauts.
Thousands of fourth- through ninth-graders worldwide link to the
project through the Internet or via live interactive broadcasts from
more than 30 sites.
Clarendon's fifth-grade science classes use the curriculum, which
trains teachers to work with students on in-depth research and
multimedia projects, including PowerPoint presentations with streaming
video.
"The kids love it because it's as close to being there as you can get.
This is real scientists working with real students in real time,"
technology specialist Mary Pistor said. "Kids also really respond well
to the visual, especially English-language learners, and we have many
ELL kids."
In Phoenix, the city's education channel will also air original
programming, including segments on the multimillion-dollar Rio Salado
reclamation project, which includes wetlands restoration, and the Tres
Rios project, which uses treated wastewater to reclaim the natural
ecosystem.
"These are examples of efforts to revive wetlands right in their back
yard," said know99's creative director, Marcos Najera. "So we had to
feature them."
A know99 segment on last year's JASON expedition of Panama's tropical
rain forests earned the station one of 13 Telly Awards for excellence
in TV news.
Mostly manned and operated by teens, the station's live broadcasts will
air hourly from 8 a.m. until 2 through Friday. Spanish broadcasts will
run at 11 a.m. and 9 p.m., with repeat English showings at 3 p.m. and
10 p.m.
Information: phoenix.gov/ know99 or (602) 53i-know.