Adult Learning Network Fall 2003: Page 1
Antarctic Math or Life at Palmer Station
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In October 2003, Susan Cowles – the project director of the Science &
Numeracy Special Collection of online resources—was invited by Dr.
Judy Ward to co-facilitate the numeracy training at the Arkansas Adult
Learning Resource Center. Ms. Cowles has twelve years experience
teaching adult basic education at Linn-Benton Community College, and
she has a grant from the National Institute for Literacy (NIFL) to maintain
the Science & Numeracy collection at http://literacynet.org/sciencelincs/
Susan Cowles at AALRC
In order to communicate the impact of this trip to all Arkansas teachers and to help this adventurous educator transfer her
experiences to education professionals and adult learners, we conducted the following interview with Ms. Cowles:
What motivated you to apply for a trip to Antarctica?
For many years, I have used Antarctic science as a context for teaching basic skills to adults. When I knew of a scientist or technician on a research ship in the Southern Ocean, I would ask that person if my students could send email messages. Not only did the students practice their writing skills in order to send an email, they also had practice using technology and they learned some science and geography. Math was also emphasized. For example, scientific measurements are given in the metric system. We'd practice changing those measurements to the U.S. customary system, and we'd change the temperature measurements in Celsius to Fahrenheit. There are also lots of Antarctic websites with learning activities, so we'd do those as a class. When I learned about the TEA program, I thought it would be great to be in Antarctica and have students around the country write to me.
For many years, I have used Antarctic science as a context for teaching basic skills to adults. When I knew of a scientist or technician on a research ship in the Southern Ocean, I would ask that person if my students could send email messages. Not only did the students practice their writing skills in order to send an email, they also had practice using technology and they learned some science and geography. Math was also emphasized. For example, scientific measurements are given in the metric system. We'd practice changing those measurements to the U.S. customary system, and we'd change the temperature measurements in Celsius to Fahrenheit. There are also lots of Antarctic websites with learning activities, so we'd do those as a class. When I learned about the TEA program, I thought it would be great to be in Antarctica and have students around the country write to me.
How many Adult Educators have undertaken similar expeditions in the past?
I'm the only one, so far. I hope that other instructors will apply for the program at some point. I'd also like to encourage adult learners to think about working in Antarctica when they have finished the programs they're in now. There are lots of interesting jobs, such as equipment drivers, cooks, carpenters, electricians, boating operators, and so forth. There are also many scientific support jobs. A person could find out more about jobs in the Arctic and the Antarctic by checking out the website of the subcontractor who provides support services for the U.S. Polar Programs. That is Raytheon Polar Services Company, http://www.polar.org/
I'm the only one, so far. I hope that other instructors will apply for the program at some point. I'd also like to encourage adult learners to think about working in Antarctica when they have finished the programs they're in now. There are lots of interesting jobs, such as equipment drivers, cooks, carpenters, electricians, boating operators, and so forth. There are also many scientific support jobs. A person could find out more about jobs in the Arctic and the Antarctic by checking out the website of the subcontractor who provides support services for the U.S. Polar Programs. That is Raytheon Polar Services Company, http://www.polar.org/
What is the connection between Antarctica and math skills?
Well, math is a tool used by people in their work and in other parts of their lives. I asked all the workers at Palmer Station, Antarctica, to come up with ways in which they used math. Many people thought up some interesting math problems. They are all on the web, complete with photos. For example, my roommate Brittney has a knitting problem called "Hat Math". The carpenter and the electrician constructed good problems, as did the cooks ("Oatmeal Cookie Math" and "Brownies for 150 People"). Almost every journal entry has a math problem, though not all of them. You can see the first month of daily journals and all of the journals appear at the TEA website. Also, there are several learning activities here, and most of them exercise those math skills:.
Well, math is a tool used by people in their work and in other parts of their lives. I asked all the workers at Palmer Station, Antarctica, to come up with ways in which they used math. Many people thought up some interesting math problems. They are all on the web, complete with photos. For example, my roommate Brittney has a knitting problem called "Hat Math". The carpenter and the electrician constructed good problems, as did the cooks ("Oatmeal Cookie Math" and "Brownies for 150 People"). Almost every journal entry has a math problem, though not all of them. You can see the first month of daily journals and all of the journals appear at the TEA website. Also, there are several learning activities here, and most of them exercise those math skills:.
Is there are a way for other teachers or students to use the knowledge that you gained during your trip?
Yes! There is a lot of information at the following websites:
Yes! There is a lot of information at the following websites:
- Polar Science Station: http://literacynet.org/polar/
- POP Goes Antarctica: http://literacynet.org/polar/pop/html/home.html
- Teachers Experiencing Antarctica and the Arctic: http://tea.rice.edu/tea_cowlesfrontpage.html
- Student program broadcast archives: http://www.linnbenton.edu/cowles/
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