International Math Game Challenge

Registration is now open - - and filling quickly! - - for MAGPI's spring International Math Game Challenge videoconference. We are running three sessions (one for students in grades K-2, one for students in grades 3-5 and one for students in grades 6-8) on March 4th to celebrate International Math Day. If there is high demand, we will add additional sessions!

Here's the project description:

Learn about math and other cultures by taking on MAGPI’s Math Game Challenge! Have your students take on the role of educator and have them teach their peers about a math game from another country. Each participating school will be tasked with demonstrating a math game or numerical challenge from another country to other schools on the videoconference. Students will be charged with putting together a handout that explains the game, along with a materials list, that can emailed to other participating schools ahead of time. Each school will have 10 minutes to present their game/challenge and lead their peers in the game. You’re welcome to present more than one game during the program - - especially if they are ‘quick’ group games. Once you register your school for the project, you will need to email Heather Weisse Walsh with the game(s) your school wants to present as part of the challenge. This way, we can ensure that the same game is not presented multiple times in the same age category. Your game selections are due on 10 days before the event. Your handouts are due 5 days before the event.

U in the News from Dallastown School District recently published a great article about Dallastown Middle School's participation in the Fall International Math Challenge. Congrats to the Tropical Team and main presenter, Danny Godstrey, for a wonderful presentation on Yut! You can view the article on the U in the News Site, and you can view Danny's handounts on the International Math Challenge - Grades 6-8 webpage!

Image of Danny Godstrey and the Tropical Team from Dallastown School District, courtesy of U in the News.

Call for Presentations - The Crisis in Haiti: What Can YOU Do to Help?

Students from around the world respond.

On Friday, February 19th from 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM EST, MAGPI is sponsoring an international videoconference and webcast to help raise awareness and financial support for victims of the Haiti earthquake. We’re working to line up some phenomenal speakers, representatives from aid agencies, and student presentations/performances as part of this international event. We want you and your students to get involved! Here’s how you can participate:

BE A PRESENTER: Is your K12 school, university or college planning a project to raise awareness or funds to help earthquake victims? We would love to give your students 5-10 minutes to share their project. Has a student created an artistic work (song, painting, mural, etc) to help raise awareness? We’d love to have him/her perform! If you are interested in performing or presenting, please send a 100 word abstract detailing your proposed presentation/performance to Heather Weisse Walsh at hweisse@magpi.net. Deadline for proposals is January 30, 2010. Presenters can perform/present live via videoconference or submit videos prior to the event. Please indicate your preference on your presentation/performance proposal. Interactive videoconference sites must have H.323 videoconference gear and, preferably, are connected to their national research and education network.

SHOW THE WEBSTREAM IN YOUR SCHOOL. If you’re not a presenting/performing school, don’t worry! Participate by tuning in LIVE to the webstream. We’ll be posting webstream instructions at the beginning of February on the MAGPI website: http://www.magpi.net. During the webcast, collect change and donations at your school and donate to one of the aid organizations participating in the program. Or simply just tune in and be inspired by what others are doing - - and then create your own project.

LIVE BLOGGERS/TWEETERS: We’re looking for schools to volunteer as live bloggers and tweeters for this event, covering the presentations and helping get word out to the world at large. Interested? Contact Heather Weisse Walsh at hweisse@magpi.net.

We want your organization to get involved too - - the World Food Programme has already agreed to participate! If your organization is interested in speaking/presenting/participating, please email Heather at hweisse@magpi.net.

Image courtesy of the World Food Programme.