Holbrook Travel in Partnership with PASCO

PHILADELPHIA, March 18 /PRNewswire/ -- It's no secret that technology is transforming the way the world comprehends and communicates knowledge of both local and global issues. Today Holbrook Travel, a leader in innovative, global field expeditions for students and educators, announced a new approach in field studies to help students understand critical environmental, social and political dynamics.

Beginning in 2011, Holbrook Academic Group travel to Costa Rica will offer the group leader a complimentary, all-in-one, mobile SPARK Science Learning System™ for instructional technology integration in global field study. Upon arrival in Costa Rica, each group will be provided with a SPARKscience™ Mobile Lab containing a classroom set of SPARKs to use for the duration of the trip. Each SPARK will be preloaded with specialized field curriculum, probeware and other materials that foster increased global comprehension for workshops supporting faculty development and K-16 learning. Program instructors will have full access to materials and training prior to departure. The group leader can keep the device for continued applied comparative studies and post curricular application upon return. Educators can see the SPARKscience™ Mobile Lab at the National Science Teachers Association Convention that runs through Saturday.

"For six years, PASCO scientific and Holbrook Travel have worked together to increase the inquiry-based learning processes within global education through technology integration of field studies throughout Latin America," said Sandy Doss, vice president of Holbrook Travel. "The SPARKscience program provides student and teacher alike with the opportunity to integrate and elevate the instructional content of unique biological features, environmental problem solving, and community based research and conservation. SPARKscience offers real-time data analysis and visualization of key information critical to local community needs and issues, while supporting higher-level scientific inquiry within the tropical rainforest of Latin America."

SPARKscience is a research-based science learning environment that integrates sensor-based data collection, interactive visualization and data analysis, instructional content and assessment.

Science instructors interested in global education and science technology integration may contact Sandy Doss at [email protected] or at (800) 451-7111.

SOURCE PASCO scientific