INTERNET TEAM IN CAPE ON EDUCATIONAL MISSION

A group of educational explorers will visit Cape Girardeau this week on a quest for knowledge about American history.

The United States Expedition team will arrive in Cape Girardeau today to conduct research about the city's traditions, cultures and history. The team also will produce a report about the Mississippi River during its five-day visit to the region.

The team's expedition is one of several that have been conducted around the world for GlobaLearn, an award-winning Internet site. The Internet site serves as an on-line resource for students studying history and social studies.

The Internet site allows teachers to register for curriculum guides and activities, e-mail addresses for other participating teachers, and Web links to sites of professional interest. Students also have access to live Web chats with explorers and student discussion forums and Web links to related sites.

The United States expedition will travel some 7,000 miles to educate people about the Louisiana Purchase, American Revolution and Civil War, and the Western route of early pioneers. People also can learn about the cost of gas in Atlanta, Ga., the jazz music tradition in New Orleans, La., the cost of a pair of jeans in Boston, Mass., and of course, the Mississippi River as experienced in Cape Girardeau.

GlobaLearn has sponsored similar explorations in South America, Brazil, Trans-Asia and the Black Sea Nations.

Rhonda Dunham, a teacher at Jefferson Elementary School, will be the city coordinator during the team's visit.

"This is a chance for the city of Cape Girardeau and the public school system to show their stuff," said Dunham. "They will meet with local students, environmentalists, water quality controllers, gospel groups and riverboat workers, just to name a few."

Five exploration team members will record their daily observations in journals and travel logs during their visit to Cape Girardeau. They also will use digital cameras, sound equipment and lap top computers to develop daily updates that are posted on the GlobaLearn Internet site.

Their goal is to act as the "eyes and ears" for students as they investigate "the people and cultures that have contributed to the shaping of the United States."

For more information about the United States Expedition, access the Web site at www.globalearn.org