SIKESTON - In a few days students and teachers at Sikeston Middle School will have a chance to see the world.
They'll discover why seashells are found on Himalayan mountaintops, why the earth's crust is cracked, why Icelanders swim outdoors in winter and more.
Monday and Tuesday's rare opportunity is being made possible by a creation called Earth Balloon in which entire classes enter the world through a zippered doorway.
Students find out it really is a small world when they enter the 20-foot hand-painted inflatable globe which is being brought here by WhereAbouts Inc. of Highland Park, Ill., through a grant. The balloon is described by those who've seen it firsthand as awe-inspiring, both inside and outside.
WhereAbouts Inc. is a company that provides geography enrichment programs for schools, museums, etc.
The Earth Balloon and its tour directors from WhereAbouts Inc. will give participants the rare chance of literally seeing the world from the inside out. Sitting on Antarctica, world explorers will view the world's parched desert browns, rain forest greens, cold tundra grays and sapphire oceans in continuous panorama.
The Earth Balloon will enable students to experience geography in a 3-D setting, explained Dr. Larry Bohannon, assistant superintendent of secondary education and staff development for Sikeston Public Schools.
"It is highly motivating; geography will come alive. Since the new Missouri Assessment Program requires students to apply what they have learned, this gives another opportunity to address the skills of application. This will give students an opportunity to visualize geographical formations and see for themselves the interconnection of the earth."
Teachers have received information packets ahead of time which will provide guidelines for continuous future lessons in geography and writing.
Basic programs inside the Earth Balloon run from 15-45 minutes and programs can be customized or extended outside the Earth Balloon environment.
"Writing prompts will be provided to stimulate the student's creative thought process to enhance comprehension," Bohannon. "Writing is another major component on the MAP test. This experience will provide our students with additional opportunities to apply skills necessary for success on the MAP test."
For more information on Earth Balloon visit website: www.whereaboutsinc.com/EarthBalloon_/earthballoon_.html