Earth Voyage: educators on a sustainable mission

New Life Journal, August, 2008

In 2006, community planners, artists, educators and students participated if in the Design Science Lab (DSL), a 10-day think tank on regional and global sustainability issues sponsored by the Buckminster Fuller Institute and the United Nations and held in Asheville. It was at this event that Asheville residents Mark Hanf, William Harwood, Marnie Muller and Susanne Watson experienced author and inventor Buckminster Fuller's gymnasium-sized Dymaxion Map for the first time and were drawn to it as an educational tool to help children learn about our planet and their role as its human inhabitants. And that's where the local nonprofit Earth Voyage began: with the purchase of that giant map and Mark, William, Marnie and Susanne's understanding of how providing opportunities for students to engage with real-world subject matter plays a role in our future.

What is Earth Voyage's (EV) mission?

The mission of Earth Voyage is to inspire people of all ages to experience the world with a new perspective. Our programs integrate multiple intelligences, multi-media presentations, life-size educational tools, kinesthetic games, and service learning to cultivate a deeper understanding of environmental and social interconnectedness and encourage active participation as global citizens.

How does EV work with existing school curriculum?

Our interdisciplinary programs integrate Howard Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences, which acknowledges different learning styles so that all participants are engaged. We also incorporate the AAAS (American Association for Advancement of Science) benchmarks for science literacy, which dovetail with state curriculum. Specific areas of focus include world geography, geometry, social studies and environmental science.

Many of the percentages and statistics that we read in social studies texts are difficult to comprehend. Attempting to visualize 6.5 billion people is almost impossible, but if we think of the world as a village of 100 people, then percentages are easier to understand. Using our large map and colorcoded foam blocks, participants can graph the Earth's population and resource distribution and literally "grasp" these important concepts.

EV programs also offer a service-learning component. We've collaborated with several international service organizations, including Run For Africa, The Full Belly Project and Blue Planet Run, to allow participants to not only raise awareness but also raise money for real-world projects.

How has EV been involved with schools and students in the local community?

Earth Voyage has been in the process of developing and piloting its programs with the direct involvement of young people every step of the way. We've worked with Rainbow Mountain Children's School, including their Omega Program, as well as with The Learning Center and The Arthur Morgan School. We've piloted programs at Blue Ridge Assembly in Black Mountain and are very excited to be offering our programs there for this coming fall. We also have the opportunity to share Earth Voyage programs in Madison County at the auditorium at the new Marshall High Studios.

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For more information on Earth Voyage, including their upcoming nearby events, visit www.earthvoyage.org. Also see Live Local on page 30 for more information about their involvement with service organizations and local schools.