To the Edge and Back Again in the Name of Science

Life sciences teacher James Locke zooms around his classroom like an enthusiastic example of kinetic energy. He's on one side of the room and then he's on the other side of the room, leaving no time in between for his Manhattan Beach Middle School seventh graders to idle. As he holds up a frozen sheep heart, the students "ew" in unison. Judging by the colorful models of Styrofoam cells, cardboard plants in a rainbow of synthetic colors and cut-out skeletons ready for labeling, Mr. Locke likes to bring his lessons to life. Soon he'll get the chance to bring the Arctic to Manhatttan Beach.

In June, Locke will travel to Churchill, Canada, as part of the Earthwatch Institute's expedition to explore climate change at the Arctic's edge. Middle school teachers such as Locke can apply for fellowships sponsored by Northrop Grumman through the Earthwatch Educator Program and embark on a journey designed to provide hands-on professional development in math and science. A total of 22 teachers from eight states will be sent on expeditions to the Bahamas and the Arctic this year.

"This is going to be a completely unique experience," Locke said. "I can't believe I'm going to have the chance to go."

Locke says he began actively seeking such programs as a way to engage with scientific research and find new ways to stimulate student interest.

"I became more and more aware of these great opportunities that were out there for teachers, and this was one of those," Locke said. "You can go and be a part of these research projects around the world, and that just seemed ideal. It enlightens me, it enlightens my experience and I can communicate that to the students."

In 2007, Locke experienced zero gravity in the Weightless Flights of Discovery program sponsored by the Northrop Grumman Foundation. His class, Locke says, enjoyed hearing about his personal encounter with astronaught-style flying while he explained the lack of gravity in space.

"It's a more personal connection for them, because somebody they know did it,"  Locke said. "It's not watching Tom Hanks in Apollo 13 do it. It helps kids connect a body of material to their life in a way they wouldn't otherwise."

The story of Locke's journey to the edge of the Arctic Circle will serve as a teaching tool for next year's eager horde of seventh graders. But even before the teacher returns to the classroom, interested students will be able to get a feel for the Arctic in real time. Locke plans to keep a blog during his 10-day stay at the research facility on the banks of the Hudson Bay, and hopes to interact with students online—perhaps through a video conference—while he's more than 2,000 miles away.

The expedition itself—Climate Change at the Arctic's Edge—is led by Dr. Peter Kershaw of the University of Alberta and aims to track climate change in one of the most sensitive areas of the Arctic. Participants will help data collection of soil and vegetation samples, frost probing and permafrost coring. "The interesting thing with the permafrost is that so much of the organic material is frozen," Locke explained. "If it were to thaw, the amounts of carbon dioxide and methane in our atmosphere would increase dramatically because it's been frozen for thousands of years."

The additional gases could begin an accelerated cycle of global warming. "The question is: What impact would that have on the ecologies?" Locke said. "And if this is a sensitive area, what would that mean globally?"

For a life sciences teacher, the expedition taps into an array of classroom topics, including plant life and adaptation  and the processes and accuracy of measuring wild animal populations.

"I love bringing these experiences back to the classroom," Locke said. "It's the way I teach. My experiences make what I teach more relevant."

Locke started teaching high school in the Bronx, NY, in 1993. Vermont-born, Virginia-bred, Locke made the jump to the West Coast in 2000 when he moved to Manhattan Beach. As a marathon runner and passionate world traveler, this science teacher is also an adventure seeker.

"I'm always looking for new things, anything that engages and excites the students, and shows them that science is alive in the world around them," Locke said. "I think that's the message. Science isn't just this body of facts. It's dynamic and changing."

Concern about science education has increased in recent years with the release of troubling statistics on student achievement and aspirations.

According to the U.S. Department of Education, 41 percent of eighth-graders are considered "below basic" in their knowledge of science. At 12^th grade, that number increases to 46 percent, with just 18 percent considered "proficient." Additionally, fewer students are pursuing science-based college degrees.  A waning interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, also known as STEM subjects, foreshadows a dramatic slump in the nation's level of global competiveness, according to the STEM Education Coalition. Through the Earthwatch Educator Program, however, Northrop Grumman hopes to curb such a trend and ignite passion in students for the subject matter through the first point of contact: teachers.

"Helping to provide teachers real-world experience is one of the ways that we can spark student interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematic careers,"  Sandra Evers-Manly, president of the Northrop Grumman Foundation, wrote in a news release.

Sparking student interest doesn't seem to be a problem in Locke's classroom.  During one recent lesson on the anatomy of the human heart, Locke patiently answers a barrage of questions until the students start to veer too far off track. "If your arm got cut off, could you take it to the doctor and have it sewn back on again?" asks a boy in front.

Such science enthusiasm, if somewhat misguided in this case, is what Locke hopes to spur. Undeterred, he turns to a full-scale plastic model of the human body, guts and all, and picks right up with his aortic lecture.

Locke leaves June 20 and will return June 30. Follow the Mr. Locke's Expedition blog for updates on his Arctic adventure.