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Want to be a...?

Objective

To become familiar with the many disciplines and career opportunities involved in scientific expeditions such as this one, including engineering, archaeology, architecture, linguistics, history, and geography, as well as the many support staff that keep such an expedition going.

Resources

Mysteries of the Nile biographies
End of Field Season Full Report
any of the Secrets of Lost Empires Videos: Pyramid, Stonehenge, Obelisk, Inca, Colosseum
Occupational Outlook Handbook

Procedure

List all the careers that are part of the project, starting with the above list and adding any others mentioned in the any of the other Web sites you visit or programs you watch (Note: Allow one week for shipping of any videos you order).
Brainstorm with the class all the associated occupations that would be part of the adventure, many of which may not require special schooling. Consider both the staff that directly supports the scientists (such as technical support specialists, equipment operators, and cooks) as well as staff that indirectly supports the expedition (such as weather forecasters, hotel workers, and security specialists).
Have students choose one of these careers that interests them and prepare a poster on the occupation. Have them include information about why the career is important to the project, what training it requires, and descriptions of specific duties and responsibilities that the career involves. Also have students note how this occupation might be used in their community, if possible.
To learn more about the careers, follow the "Mysteries of the Nile" Dispatches. Brainstorm how each member of the team and supporting staff might be affected by the events that occur during the adventure.
Display the final posters and discuss the careers as a class. Limit one career to each student so that when posters are displayed the students will learn about a wide range of occupations.

Standards Connections

National Science Education Standards
Grades 5-8
Content Standard G: History and Nature of Science

Science as a human endeavor

Women and men of various social and ethnic backgrounds—and with diverse interests, talents, qualities, and motivations—engage in the activities of science, engineering, and related fields such as the health professions. Some scientists work in teams, and some work alone, but all communicate extensively with others.
Science requires different abilities, depending on such factors as the field of study and type of inquiry. Science is very much a human endeavor, and the work of science relies on basic human qualities, such as reasoning, insight, energy, skill, and creativity—as well as on scientific habits of mind, such as intellectual honesty, tolerance of ambiguity, skepticism, and openness to new ideas.

Grades 9-12
Standard G: History and Nature of Science

Science as a human endeavor
Individuals and teams have contributed and will continue to contribute to the scientific enterprise. Doing science or engineering can be as simple as an individual conducting field studies or as complex as hundreds of people working on a major scientific question or technological problem. Pursuing science as a career or as a hobby can be both fascinating and rewarding.

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