I Dig Zambia — Using Virtual Classrooms to Engage Youth in Science and Global Citizenship

Audrey Aronowsky · Beth Sanzenbacher · Ken Angielczyk · Rik Panganiban · Barry Joseph · Krystal Villanosa

Wed., June 09, 2:00–3:00, Inn Wisconsin

Building on the success of the first "I Dig Science" program (Tanzania 2008), 2009's "I Dig Zambia" (IDZ) was an intensive summer workshop in which high school students learned about science, conservation, and culture directly from scientists and youth in Africa. The IDZ workshop gave high school students from Chicago and New York City a chance to experience science in action.

“I Dig” workshops used Teen Second Life as a virtual classroom that allowed teens across disparate locations to learn together. Sessions were divided into learning experiences focused on science and culture, and provided time for interaction and sharing across cities. The “I Dig” curriculum was designed to leverage the creative and participatory 3D environment of Teen Second Life and to allow students to learn about the science, history, and culture of Zambia by doing activities that mimic those of scientists and activists.

Using satellite terminals, digital video cameras, and laptop computers; a diverse and international team of scientists demonstrated techniques and taught from remote areas of Zambia in real time — the ultimate in distance learning. Students worked in specially-designed virtual environments to mimic the experiences the scientists were having; hunting for and finding fossils, discussing and interpreting their discoveries, encountering native flora and fauna, and learning about local cultures and politics. Students were also able to learn about Zambian culture and issues directly from the locals by communicating with Zambian teens, teachers, and activists through digital photo and letter exchanges. Virtual and digital experiences were supplemented by real-world experiences such as behind the scenes museum tours where students were able to see real fossils and experience African drumming first hand.

Students were evaluated by authoring daily blog posts, creating descriptive and summative artwork and projects, and creating virtual museum exhibits that showcased their team’s scientific work. Students left the IDZ workshop with content knowledge in geography, conservation biology, paleontology, Zambian culture, and regional policy and current events. They gained experience in the scientific method, including formulating and testing hypotheses. Most importantly, they developed an appreciation for the real work of scientists because the IDZ experience broke down the fear surrounding science by making it engaging and interactive.

The “I Dig Science” program will continue in the fall of 2010 as “I Dig Brazil” (IDB). IDB will be an intensive semester-long after school program for American teens in which they collaborate with university-level Brazilian education students and a multinational team of experts to learn about paleontology, conservation, climate change, evolution and extinction, and economic inequality. IDB will use a 3D OpenSim environment to explore and collaborate on these scientific and cultural issues, and an open access website where teens will disseminate their work and share their IDB experiences.