Each year, some hard working and talented students and teachers are selected to join the JASON Project expedition team, traveling with the scientists and production team to the remote location from which JASON will broadcast that year. These participants are called Student and Teacher Argonauts and their work begins the day they are chosen and ends long after the expedition has drawn to a close.
The JASON Foundation for Education coordinates the Student and Teacher Argonaut Programs and is responsible for making all logistical arrangements for the Student and Teacher Argonauts' participation in JASON Project Expeditions, including covering all traveling, food, accommodation and incidental expenses. The JASON Foundation for Education also provides site specific reading materials and an on site JASON Project uniform.
The JASON Foundation for Education selects the Teacher Argonauts from candidates submitted by Primary Interactive Network Site (PINS) and National Corporate Sponsors. A committee whose members include former Teacher Argonauts selects the final Student Argonauts. The Student Argonaut program began in 1989, and the Teacher Argonaut program in 1990. For JASON VII, there will be eight Teacher Argonauts and 30 Student Argonauts.
The relationship between the Student and Teacher Argonauts and their local PINS is B and essential. Each candidate for Student and Teacher Argonaut must be submitted to the JASON Foundation for Education by a PINS. The PINS then works with the Student and Teacher Argonauts to ensure that these experiences are shared with the community and used to enhance the JASON experience.
Student Argonauts must have a demonstrated interest and ability in science and technology as well as good leadership skills to participate in the JASON program. Each Student Argonaut chooses a sponsor teacher from his or her school who will commit to work with that student before he or she departs for the expedition. The sponsor teacher will help the student as he or she becomes familiar with the JASON Project's science and technology. The sponsor teacher is encouraged to implement the JASON curriculum as a part of regular classroom work, with special emphasis on the preparation of the Student Argonaut, and work locally to promote the student's participation in the JASON Project.
Teacher Argonauts serve as mentors and guides during the preparation for and time of the expedition and also use their experience as a Teacher Argonaut upon their return to the classroom. Teacher Argonaut applicants must submit statements explaining why they would be effective in that year's program and how they would use that experience in the classroom and a letter of support from his or her school system. Teacher Argonauts typically spend a minimum of six weeks on JASON-related activities from the time of selection through the expedition.
Teacher Argonauts work as JASON Project Student Argonaut Academic Coordinators to make sure their assigned Student Argonauts (usually four to six students) become knowledgeable in all areas of JASON Project science and technology. Teacher Argonauts also facilitate communications between fellow Student Argonauts.
It is after the expedition that the multiplier effect takes place, as each Teacher and Student Argonaut shares his or her experiences and enthusiasm with hundreds of students.
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Gene Carl Feldman
(gene@seawifs.gsfc.nasa.gov)
(301) 286-9428
Todd Carlo Viola, JASON Foundation for Education (todd@jason.org)
Revised: 17 Oct 1995