Joint Science Education Project (JSEP)
Application Deadline Passed
This year’s THEME: The Science of Survival in the Arctic
Greenland Research Tour 12-21 July 2012: 9 days involving trips to scientific research field stations around Kangerlussuaq, Greenland and on the ice sheet in Greenland.
Greenland Field School 29 June - 12 July 2012: 14 days conducting independent research in the Kangerlussuaq area of Greenland with the guidance of teachers and scientists.
Note: There is no cost to students except for incidentals and any clothing they plan to wear. Extreme cold weather outerwear is provided however clothing to wear underneath is not. Students will need a good sturdy pair of hiking boots and rain gear. Students must be in high school at the time of application submittal and subsequent selection process.
Contact shynes [at] nsf [dot] gov if you have questions regarding the application or the 2012 JSEP Experience.
About JSEP
The Joint Science Education Project (JSEP) started as a collaborative diplomatic effort between the United States, Denmark, and Greenland during the International Polar Year to:
- Educate and inspire the next generation of polar scientists;
- Build strong networks of students and teachers between the three countries; and
- Provide an opportunity to practice language and communication skills by taking students to the ice sheet in Greenland to observe polar science in action.
Since its inception in 2008, JSEP has had 31 student and 13 teacher participants, reaching 5 schools in Greenland, 4 in Denmark, and 7 in the United States. Additionally, JSEP has involved the participation of countless scientists and professionals out in the field in Greenland. In 2011 alone, over 30 scientists and professionals worked directly with students in the field. The JSEP model has evolved over the years into its current 2011 state, which consists of two field-based subprograms on site in Greenland: the Greenland-led Kangerlussuaq Field School, and the U.S.-led Science Education Week (on the Greenland ice sheet). During the 2011 program, students (16 Greenlandic, 3 Danish, and 5 American) learned about polar science content and field method techniques by visiting polar scientists deployed in the field. Students also initiated, conducted, and presented their own research questions and field studies in the Kangerlussuaq area. During the 2011 Science Education Week portion of JSEP, students (4 Greenlandic, 3 Danish, and 2 American) and teachers (2 Greenlandic, 1 Danish, and 2 American) shadowed scientists, practicing polar field methods and life at the Summit and NEEM stations on the ice sheet.
JSEP is led each year by the National Science Foundation Office of Polar Programs.
Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellow
A list of fellows and their JSEP projects is below:
- JSEP 2012 Theme: The Science of Survival in the Arctic – Led by Shelly Hynes
- JSEP 2011 Theme: Climate and Global Change – Led by Laura Lukes {Learn More}
- JSEP 2010 – Led by Marti Canipe {Learn More}
- JSEP 2009 – Led by Jennifer Thompson {Learn More}
- JSEP 2008 – Led by Kathy Gorski
About the Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellows
The Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship is a one-year teacher fellowship open to STEM teachers in K-12 classrooms funded through the Department of Energy and managed by the Triangle Coalition for Science and Technology Education. Fellows live in Washington, DC and work within federal agencies or congressional offices to increase the federal government’s understanding of STEM educational issues. In return, fellows gain insight and provide input into the STEM programs, policies, and initiatives the federal government undertakes. For more information about Einstein Fellows and to apply, go to www.einsteinfellows.org.
NSF Office of Polar Programs Fellows
- Shelly Hynes (2011-2012) – Shelly teaches astronomy and physics at the Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts (LSMSA), a three-year residential high school for high achieving, highly motivated students. Shelly strongly believes in student research at the high school level and has mentored 9 senior theses while at LSMSA. Because of this she feels JSEP is a vital program for encouraging students to pursue careers in science research related to the poles.
- Laura Lukes (2010-2011) –
- Marti Canipe (2009-2010) – Marti taught middle school science for thirteen years. Currently she is a PhD student at the University of Arizona specializing in Science Education. Marti is interested in improving elementary science education and in incorporating Traditional Ecological Knowledge into science learning.
- Jennifer Thompson (2009-2008) –
- Kathy Gorski (2007-2008) –