DC or Bust

Ms. Christie-Blick
 

A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity came knocking on our classroom door last month. My 4th graders and I were invited to accompany Mr. Tanenbaum to Washington DC, to make a presentation at a congressional reception. It all started last fall, when Mr. Tanenbaum worked with scientists from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, onboard their ship, off the east coast of the US. My students communicated with him from our classroom, via computer blog. They also read about ocean pollution, and completed experiments about the acidification of our oceans. Because of their hard work, they were chosen to help spread the word about the educational value of NOAA’s Teacher at Sea Program.

They felt honored to be chosen, and excited about spending two days in our nation’s capital. Mr. Fiorentino joined us very early the morning of Thursday, May 14, as our bus rolled out of the Cottage Lane parking lot. We arrived in DC in time to visit the Lincoln Memorial and reflecting pond, and to take a private tour of the Capitol provided by Congressman Engel’s office. That evening we donned our best clothes and headed to the Rayburn Building in downtown DC.

The children listened politely to the speeches given by Congressman Engel, and Dr. Lubchenko, head of NOAA, about Mr. Tanenbaum’s outstanding job bringing difficult scientific information to kids in a way they could understand it. They saw the book written about him and his Teacher at Sea adventures. They watched Mr. Tanenbaum show a slide show and give his endorsements of the program. Then they knew it was their turn.

On stage, the children answered my questions about their blogging experiences with Mr. Tanenbaum, and discussed the merits of the Teacher at Sea program, while fifty congressmen and NOAA representatives listened in on our conversation. The 10-year-olds explained how the program helped them understand the importance of the ocean. They expressed their concern over ocean pollution and over-fishing, and the importance of sustainable development. And as they spoke, you could hear a pin drop in the rest of the room. Everyone was listening intently – the congressmen and their staff, Dr. Lubchenko, Admiral Bailey, and NOAA representatives. They were reminded of how important their job is, and the fact that these children are the ones who will reap the benefits of their current work protecting the ocean for the future. It is for the children that we adults need to pay attention to what’s happening to our oceans now, and make changes even when inconvenient.

After the presentation, the children drank Shirley Temples and ate petit fours as they chatted, impressing the grown-ups with their good manners and their ability to discuss ocean ecosystems. All too soon, it was time to leave. Fortunately, the hotel was just a short drive away, and soon everyone was having happy dreams about a job well done.

The next day, we had the opportunity to walk around the outside of the White House, eat lunch at the park, visit the new ocean exhibit at the Smithsonian, and of course visit the gift shop before boarding our bus and heading home.

Happy, still excited, and with a seemingly unlimited amount of energy, the children arrived back at school at 9:00, Friday night, words rushing out of their mouths of all they had seen and done over past two days, as their parents greeted them with warm, welcoming hugs. And what about Ms. Christie-Blick, you ask? Soon I was having happy dreams about the memorable experience with my students, how proud I was of each of them, and how grateful I was that we had had such an incredible opportunity.