MAYNARD, MA -- Fifteen teachers from Maine, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Rhode Island, Washington and the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso do Sul will venture to the vast wetlands of Brazil's Pantanal, February 14-25, to join a cross cultural team of educators, scientists, and geographers. As part of Earthwatch's research initiative with Conservation International of Brazil, the teachers will work with scientists to map and monitor endangered wildlife to help protect this unique area.

Although few people have heard of it, the Pantanal is the largest wetland in the world and one of the most spectacular wildlife areas in South America. Amidst caimans and capybaras, teachers will communicate with their students via email, photos, teleconferencing, and online lessons. Upon return home teachers will share what they have learned through projects at schools and workshops with colleagues.

The program, entitled "Strengthening Geography in Schools through Conservation Field Work" is part of a nationwide program developed by Earthwatch Institute ( www.earthwatch.org ) with a Grosvenor Grant of $75,000 recently awarded Earthwatch by the National Geographic Society Education Foundation ( www.nationalgeographic.com/foundation ). The purpose of the program is to promote geographic education and conservation.

"This innovative program will help students become stewards of our natural and cultural resources," said Barbara Chow, executive director of the National Geographic's Education Foundation. "Giving these teachers a first-hand look at the realities of conservation issues will enliven their teaching." The Education Foundation's annual competitive grant programs are designed to help improve geographic literacy, prepare students to embrace a diverse world, succeed in a global economy and steward the planet's resources.

For Jeffrey Wilford, a participating 7 th grade teacher from York, Maine, this is an opportunity of a lifetime. "Having never been out of North America" he said, "it will be an experience I will never forget. Best of all, I will be able to share it with my students in real time thanks to satellite communications."

"Teachers are very important to Earthwatch's mission of conserving the world's natural and cultural resources," said Roger Bergen, president of Earthwatch Institute. "When a teacher has this type of experience - doing guided field research with Earthwatch scientists - the effect is multiplied hundred times in the classroom. The impact is even more powerful when students can see their own teacher modeling conservation field work, and also be able to ask questions in real time while the work is going on."

Participating teachers were selected through a competitive application process in collaboration with Conservation International of Brazil, local geography alliances, and state technology training initiatives. Teacher Fellowships are funded by Earthwatch with grants from the Maine Community Foundation's Aristotle Fund, the Rhode Island Foundation, Virgina B. Butler Fund, the Hardin Foundation, the Ford Motor Company Fund, and the National Geographic Society Education Foundation.

During February, teachers can be followed online through partner organizations and web sites of the Washington State Teacher Technology Leadership Program at Northwest Educational Service District 189 ( www.esd189.org/tlp/pantanal ) and the Maine Learning Technology Initiative ( http://www.mainelearns.org ). Participating Earthwatch teacher fellows come from the following states and schools:

Maine

  • Tabitha Dionne, Whittier Middle School, Poland, ME
  • Thomas Light, Buckfield Middle School, Buckfield, ME
  • Martha Rogers, Penobscot Valley High School, Howland, ME
  • Jeffrey Wilford, York Middle School, York, ME

Massachusetts

  • Michelle Antunes, Fuller Middle School, Framingham, MA
  • John Daly, Tufts University, Geography MAT Program, Medford, MA

Mississippi

  • Bobbie Richardson, Blue Mountain College, Geography Education, Blue Mountain, MA

Rhode Island

  • Patricia Huntington, Aldrich Junior High School, Warwick, RI

Washington

  • Donna Cole, Edison School, Bow, WA
  • Richard Glick, Allen School, Bow, WA

Mato Gross do Sul, Brazil

  • Paula Batassini
  • Maria do Carmo Santos
  • Neuci Espoleta
  • Kleyton Goncalves Cruz
  • Sandra Mara Martens

During summer 2004, two additional educator teams are scheduled to go to Earthwatch Conservation programs worldwide. Eighteeen teachers will be selected during March from California, Florida, Maine, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Rhode Island, and Washington where Earthwatch has formed partnerships with geographic alliances. Earthwatch's collaboration with local partners helps with teacher outreach, dissemination, geography content, and technology integration.

"Partnering raises public awareness of the value of geographic literacy and conservation, while, at the same time, helping students learn about the global environment from an interdisciplinary perspective," said Paul Mulloy, co-coordinator of the Massachusetts Geographic Alliance.

Earthwatch Institute ( www.earthwatch.org) is an international nonprofit organization which supports scientific field research worldwide by offering members of the public unique opportunities to work alongside leading field scientists and researchers. The Institute's mission is to promote sustainable conservation of our natural resources and cultural heritage by creating partnerships between scientists, educators, and the general public.

"Strengthening Geography in Schools through Conservation Field Work" is based on Earthwatch's 30 years of experience and successful model of experiential education through field science. Earthwatch provides opportunities for students, teachers, business leaders, and resource managers to enrich their learning and broaden their understanding of sustainability. Every year, over 400 teachers worldwide receive educational fellowships to take part in Earthwatch research. To date, more than 3355 high school students and 3875 teachers and educators have received training and inspiration on Earthwatch expeditions.

Founded in 1888, the National Geographic Society is one of the largest nonprofit scientific and educational organizations in the world. It reaches more than 200 million people worldwide each month through its five magazines, the National Geographic Channel, television documentaries, books, videos and DVDs, maps and interactive media. National Geographic has funded more than 7,000 scientific research projects and supports an education program combating geographic illiteracy