JEM Earth Summit 2009

Well tonight I leave Honolulu to attend the JEM (Joint Environmental Mission) Earth Summit 2009 in Lahaska Pennsylvania. Sheryl Kahue, the 6th grade Social Studies teacher at Kamehameha Schools and I are bringing 6 students. They will be joined by students and teachers from schools in Russia, China, India, Kenya and Australia. The two week program, sponsored by The Buckingham Friends School, "provides a unique opportunity for elementary-aged children to develop patience, cultural understanding and a tolerance for different points of view as they collaborate on Earth Summit projects, engage in simulation games and discuss their fears and hopes for the future." (quoted from the BFS JEM page).

My role is to provide technical support for the Hawaii group as well as ning and wiki training for the teachers. In addition to the conference, we'll be taking day trips to Washington DC and New York City. The students are so excited and so am I. They are praying for snow and I'm praying for sunshine) My biggest concerns are (1) Will my family will be okay for two weeks without me? (2) Will I survive a 9 1/2 hour plane ride? (straight shot - Honolulu to Newark NJ) (3) Will I be able to stay warm? The answer to these questions as well as pictures, video and posts from the event will be posted here so stay tuned!

Aloha