The goal of River-to-River is to further global understanding of the interconnectedness of the environment through exchange of environmental information by students and teachers. The objectives of the program are:
The 1995 River-to-River Institute widened the skill base of the teachers involved. They were exposed to many new concepts and techniques:
They worked in both a classroom setting and in the community. Teaching sites includes the Tennessee Aquarium, the Smoky Mountains National Park, Little River Canyon in Alabama, local marshes, rivers, and cemeteries. Russian teachers also visited Oakridge High School, a participating school in both School Linkages and River-to-River.
The 1995 River-to-River program widened the vision of environmental education for both Russian and American participants. Entering participants thought that environmental education was a part of science education only. Through the workshop they began to understand that humans shape the environment and therefore including the social sciences in the study of the environment is essential. Many participants also began to see themselves as global citizens and understood the global interconnection of environmental problems and solutions. For example, a participant wrote in her evaluation:
"It is valuable to find our commonality in the structure of our communities; Awareness of shared environmental problems fosters a sense of 'global village' participation."
During the program 9 new partnerships were formed between American and Russian teachers. Each group designed a scientific and cultural exchange program. The students will gather information about different aspects of their community and share it. One example is the project between two inner-city schools in Memphis and Rostov School #82 and the Rostov Botanical Gardens. The American schools will study aquatic plants and birds in the Mississippi flyway, identifying common and rare species and sending that information to Rostov. They will identify the bird species in the fall prior to migration. Likewise, the Rostov School #82 students will send information on their native flora and fauna and specifically on their pre-migratory bird population. In January-February they will survey the population and determine which species have migrated. Both schools are interested to learn if birds from Europe and possibly the Rostov Region of Russia migrate as far as the southeastern U.S.
These exchanges will build in complexity over the years. During the first year, students will exchange letters and biographical data to start and begin to organize the community investigation program in their own school. Exchange of information will follow.
Since the completion of the program in August, we are proud to say that communication has been established among all the partnerships. Many are using electronic mail and many are using CEC couriers. Many of the Americans have brought their schools on line specifically as a result of participation in River-to-River. In October, CEC staff carried in both directions close to 50 pounds of books and letters. This has proved to program organizers that it is possible to organize and facilitate dynamic and fruitful partnerships with significant benefit to both sides without the promise of exchange visits.
The River-to-River instructional staff is also creating a compilation of lesson plans (attached) based on the skills taught in summer 1995. The guide will be used in future River-to-River programs. The guide will make our teaching more efficient and reinforce learning when teachers return home.
River-to-River participants completed two evaluations for CEC and the University of Tennessee organizers. The teachers wanted more time in the first year to learn one another's best pedagogy. A Russian-American planning team has been established and is working with the suggestions of participants to plan the continuation of River-to-River in Rostov in the summer of 1996.
Using book allowance money, the Russian teachers purchased teaching materials for geography, biology, and chemistry classes. Six of the teachers purchased chemical water-testing kits. They were shipped to Rostov in October and schools have begun to use them. This allows the American and Russian schools to standardize their tests by using the same equipment and chemical reagents.
These activities are assisted financially by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the
United States Information Agency under the authority of the Fulbright-Hays
Act of 1961, as amended.
Web pages maintained by the
Kentucky Water Watch Program, Natural Resorces and Environmental Protection Cabinet,
Frankfort, Kentucky USA