Akl Article

The Adventure Kids Learning Organization (AKL) is a unique community partnership formed with educators and water utility personnel from Wisconsin: Joan Roehre (Kenosha Unified School District) John Andersen & Sandi Masterson (Kenosha Water Utility). Together with Wisconsin Water for the World and Agua Para la Salud, AKL’s first expedition launched in April 2008 to El Adelante, Guatemala. AKL’s mission and focus was simple: Help construct a water distribution system for Mayan families in the highlands of Guatemala, while sharing the experience and progress with students in the United States via interactive videoconferencing. The pilot expedition was developed for fourth grade classrooms whose curriculum aligned directly with water observations recently completed. In addition, foster an awareness of water resources to students living along the shore of Lake Michigan and compare how very different life is for their Guatemalan counterparts. Prior to the construction of the water tanks, El Adelante women were solely responsible for retrieving water for their family’s daily use and consumption. This arduous task occupied 4-6 hours daily in challenging terrain. Upon completion of tank and pipe installation, a single faucet and sink was placed outside the homes of forty families. Throughout the two-week construction period, thirteen videoconferences were completed, and over 400 students participated. Each 45-minute videoconference emphasized grade level appropriate discussions on Mayan culture, simple project summaries and water resource comparisons. Along with videoconference connections, the students were

in constant communication with the AKL team via website, blog and email. The team communicated daily with participating classes to follow-up on discussion that often took place after their connection. Based on overwhelmingly positive feedback and assessment, AKL team members began planning their second expedition, which took place in March 2009. A number of goals were added to ensure an educational focus, as well as initiate a cultural exchange between students. In addition, connections were made available to a nation-wide audience for grades four through eight. The 2009 site was Sacbochol, approximately eight miles from the 2008 El Adelante tank. A great deal of communication prior to arrival included securing a broadcast site at the village school. Classrooms across the country responded enthusiastically, resulting in participation from students in Texas, New York, Illinois and Wisconsin. These connections allowed direct interaction (via interpreter) between Guatemalan and US students. Questions asked were sometimes as simple as, “What sports do you play?” to “What will your families do NOW with the time you’ll be saving without having to get water?” Participating students were asked during each connection to count how many water outlets they had in their homes. On average, students counted 13-18 points at which water was accessible in their home- three per bathroom, dishwasher, laundry, etc. The Guatemalan homes have one, IF at all. These connections created engaging, meaningful, real-world experiences and began fostering true sense and inquiry of service learning. Not only did our students begin to understand and empathize, THEY WANTED TO HELP! AKL’s 2009 adventure to Sacbochol benefitted 800 students over the course of 17 videoconferences. Assessments following this year’s project have resulted in the incorporation of a formal service-learning component for upcoming expeditions. In October 2009, AKL will launch a new element: a high school level engineering partnership! US students will actively be involved in the planning and design process of the March 2010 tank construction project. Working alongside water utility engineers that will travel to the Guatemalan sitestudents will meet regularly to review, assist and observe. Once on-site, the AKL team will connect daily for Q & A as well as construction updates and progress. Effective July 2009, a new website will be launched which will eventually host opportunities for project/materials sponsorship. The AKL team will again invite students in grades four through eight to connect with the team throughout the March expedition. Registration will begin in late January 2010. Adventure Kids Learning has recently been recognized with a national education award from the American Water Works Association for it’s new, innovative and

creative learning concepts! This award will be presented in June at the AWWA conference! For more information or inquiries regarding Adventure Kids Learning, visit the website at www.adventurekidslearning.org or email [email protected].