What’s a Boomerang Box? To commemorate the opening of Terminal 5 on October 23, APL and the Port will transport a cargo container decorated with messages and designs from 70 West Seattle students. The painted container will carry goods between Seattle and Asia during this school year. Its travels will be reported on the World Wide Web, so that students and teacher anywhere in the world can follow it. Visit the project at www.apl.com/boomerangbox over the course of the year to watch the curriculum grow!

By introducing students to real people and real careers in international trade, the Boomerang Box fosters an understanding of trade and its critical role in the work force and the economy of this region, even in the neighborhood business districts. The project is and outgrowth of and APL case study supported by the Magnuson Center for International Transportation & Telecommunications at West Seattle High School.

The West Seattle Chamber of Commerce luncheon also features a presentation by Sound Schools, a grassroots coalition of public schools and community organizations in West Seattle. As a partner in The Boomerang Box, Sound Schools provides the direct school link for development and implementation of project-based K-12 curriculum. Special emphasis in placed on continuity of curriculum and instruction and successful transition from elementary to middle to high school. Sound Schools also operates after school and evening classes in school facilities.

Speakers: Mary Bourguignon, Cedar River Associates; Allison Doglio-Marquardt, Sound Schools; Tina Montgomery, APL; David Paul, Pathfinder School; Cheryl-lyn Philo, Port of Seattle; Irene Stewart, Aide to Councilmember Greg Nickels.