[LM_NET] SHARE: Earthwatch Research in Kenya - Live from the Field

[Shayne Russell <shayne.russell@GMAIL.COM>]

Next week, I will be heading to Kenya to participate in a 2-week
Earthwatch research expedition.  In the words of Robert Frost, "you
come, too"!  I've been awarded an Earthwatch Teacher Fellowship,
funded by the National Geographic Education Foundation, to "teach
live" from the field.  I will have a satellite phone which will enable
me to upload daily journals, field questions via email, and post some
photos (as well as to call and talk to the students at my school). 
This is a great opportunity to show students how research is done
outside of the library (different setting, same process!) and to prove
that there's a little bit of scientist in all of us.

You can access the information I'll be posting at
http://inforetriever.net/samburu-- follow the "teachlive" link.  I've
already started posting journal entries (blogs-- a beautiful thing!),
the photos and questions/answers will be posted once I arrive in
Kenya.  I will be limited in how many photos I can upload by the high
cost and slow speed of the satellite connection, but will post more
once I get back.

What are we studying?  Zebras!  Specifically, the endangered Grevy's
Zebra.  Only about 2000 of these animals remain in the wild and
although they are protected, their population continues to decline. 
Scientists are working to find out why-- possible causes are
predation, disease, and competition with people/livestock for
resources.

See if your library has the book Safari Journal by Hudson Talbott. 
It's a fictional travel journal of a 12-year-old boy on safari in
Kenya.  Looks like a picture book, but is surprisingly "meaty"--
touching on cultures and some important wildlife conservation issues. 
One of my 6th grade teachers is using this book as a model for
students to create their own travel journal/scrapbook incorporating
information from my daily logs with other topics they are interested
in.  Each student will write a journal entry describing   a day they
spent in Kenya as though we all took the trip together.  I love this
idea!

Another possible literature tie-in is the beautifully written
"Listening for Lions" by Gloria Whelan.  Of course, there are all
sorts of science and social studies possibilities.  I would love to
share my experience beyond my own school.

I hope you will join me!  If you have ideas for topics you would like
to see discussed in the journals I'm posting, please let me know!  I
will be leaving on March 7th.

Shayne Russell
--
Ms. Shayne Russell
Library Media Specialist
Kenneth R. Olson Middle School
Tabernacle, NJ
s.russell@earthlink.net
http://inforetriever.net

--------------------------------------------------------------------
Please note: All LM_NET postings are protected by copyright law.
  You can prevent most e-mail filters from deleting LM_NET postings
  by adding LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU to your e-mail address book.
To change your LM_NET status, e-mail to: listserv@listserv.syr.edu
In the message write EITHER: 1) SIGNOFF LM_NET  2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL
3) SET LM_NET MAIL  4) SET LM_NET DIGEST  * Allow for confirmation.
 * LM_NET Help & Information: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/
 * LM_NET Archive: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/archive/
 * EL-Announce with LM_NET Select: http://elann.biglist.com/sub/
 * LM_NET Supporters: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/ven.html
--------------------------------------------------------------------