Participate in ISTE 2010 from MAGPI's Remote Site!

Can't travel to the ISTE Conference (formerly NECC Conference) in Denver this summer? Are you a MAGPI member? You can still catch a session with Alan November and a google workshop with Howie DiBlasi by participating at the MAGPI ISTE remote site on June 29th!

We're sponsoring 20 teachers/tech facilitators virtual attendance at the conference on June 29th from our studio at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. Participants will hear the conference keynote speaker, participate in an interactive workshop, virtually tour the conference areas via video, and participate in two concurrent conference sessions. Winners MUST provide their own laptop and take care of their own travel costs. We will be providing breakfast and lunch - - and you'll have ample time to pick the brains of MAGPI staffers about using technology in your classroom!

Here's what we're planning for the day:

9:00 AM	Welcome and Introductions
9:15 AM	Interactive Technology Demos with MAGPI Staff Interested in videoconferencing? What about virtual reality? Virtual worlds? We'll be setting up mini hands-on educational technology stations so you can experiment with and discuss with MAGPI staff members.
10:30 AM	ISTE Conference Keynote Presentation
11:45 AM	Lunch
12:30 PM	Hands-on Workshop: Google Guide: 29 Secrets for Using Google in the Classroom Tap into the full potential of Google with some insider tips and tricks for classroom, administrative, and personal use. This fast-paced session offers something for all participants. This interactive workshop will be led by Howie DiBlasi.
3:30 PM	Break
4:00 PM	Concurrent Session: Digital Learning Farm: Students as Contributors We'll discuss six highly motivating learning jobs: tutorial designers, official scribes, researchers, global communicators, learning documentary producers, and solvers of real problems. This session will be led by Alan November.
5:00 PM	Wrap-Up!

Want to attend MAGPI's ISTE Remote Site? Here's how you can nab one of our twenty available spots (there are three different ways -- try all three or pick the one that suits you best!):

• Enter the 21st Century Educator Video Contest. Create a 60 second video (flip video, iMovie, iChat vide, you name it!) that addresses the following question: WHO is the 21st Century Educator? Full contest details available at http://www.magpi.net/News/MAGPIs-21st-Century-Educator-Video-Contest-Win-trip-attend-ISTE-2010-our-Remote-Site. Deadline to enter is June 1, 2010!

• Enter our Contest Raffle: Just complete the scholarship raffle form. We'll randomly select and notify winners on June 7th!
  
  
• Be entered in our Twitter Raffle! Just friend @magpik20 and tweet about our 21st Century Educator Contest and/or why you want to attend our ISTE remote site! Remember to use the #magpi hashtag! You'll automatically be entered into the raffle once for friending us, and then as many times as you tweet about us between now and June 6th! We'll notify winners on June 7th!

Have any more questions? Please contact Heather Weisse Walsh at hweisse@magpi.net or 215-573-6417.

Join us for THE ROAD TO ACTIVISM: MEXICO

Date: Thursday, April 15, 2010

Time: 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM ET

Target Audience: College and University Students, Students in Grades 9-12

Cost: FREE

More Information/Registration: http://www.magpi.net/Community/Programs/Road-Activism-Mexico

Requirements for Participation:

• Interactive Videoconference Sites (advanced registration required): here are 10 spaces available for MAGPI Members and 5 spaces available for non-MAGPI members that have H.323 capabilities and are connected to their national/state research and education network
• Non-Videoconference sites: View the LIVE webstream at http://beansidhe.isc-net.upenn.edu:8080/ramgen/encoder/mexico.rm. Please note this link will not be available until 10 minutes before the broadcast. Please visit the program webpage for technical requirements and testing information.

Over the past seven years, the road to activism in Mexico offered opportunities for Aldo Magazzeni to create relationships with the community at the Tashirat Orphanage and Ixaya School in Tepoztlan, Morelos, Mexico. The road to Tashirat was guided by his friend, Esther Bissinger, who has been there for almost ten years. Aldo knew her as a child and now, at the age of 30, she is the principal of the school, house mother to four Mexican orphans, and a leader of new programs to help the special needs children. Aldo's work has included helping the school lunch program as well as designing and planning a water catchments system and showers for the school students. Along the road, the need to help the most vulnerable children - - those with special needs - -became a priority. Today, Traveling Mercies has coordinated a relationship with special education professionals in New Jersey to assist the school to develop a Special Education Program and curriculum. The Mexican populations in this country are displaced, unable to travel back home and offer help. So Traveling Mercies has tried to honor this need.

Travel this road with Aldo into Morelos, Mexico through the images, stories and video he has captured. See how you can discover your intentions and apply them somewhere in life to help others. Everyone has the ability to travel the road to activism and make this world a better, more equal human experience.

Want to be an interactive videoconference site? Visit http://www.magpi.net/Community/Programs/Road-Activism-Mexico to register. Registration closes on Tuesday, April 13, 2010.

Image from www.tashirat.com

Cross Post from Students Helping Haiti Blog

The "Students Helping Haiti" Blog is now posted at http://studentshelpinghaiti.blogspot.com and we're looking for student journalists to contribute! This is a cross-post from that blog about the February 19th event and what you can expect!

Join the International Webcast Event on February 19th!

On Friday, February 19, 2010, students and educators everywhere will participate in a ground-breaking three-hour virtual event called “The Crisis in Haiti: What Can YOU Do to Help?” This unique live program features presentation from students around the world via high-speed videoconference, along with scientists and agency representatives from federal and non-profit organizations worldwide all focused on what can still be done to help the victims of the Haiti earthquake.

“The Crisis in Haiti: What Can YOU Do to Help?” project is made available through MAGPI with support from The World Food Program, National Youth Leadership Council, Oxfam America, Philadelphia Global Water Initiative, Global Nomads, The Exploratorium Science Center, Multicultural Youth Exchange, Florida International University, CIARA, University of Porto, the University of Pennsylvania, and Tandberg.

The live student presentations range in format from musical presentations including first grade students in Ponder, Texas singing “Put A Little Love in Your Heart” to student-created digital projects such as the “Sending Love from Taiwan” video created by high school students at National Dali High School in Dali City, Taiwan. Additional student presentations will be given by primary and secondary schools from all corners of the world.

In addition to the student presentations, the schedule includes presentations from agency representatives and researchers from global and local organizations including: The Word Food Program on their response to the crisis in Haiti; scientists from the Exploratorium Science Center in San Francisco, California who will be explaining “The Big Picture” on the geology of Haiti that contributed to the catastrophic event; Oxfam representatives on their efforts to rebuild; representatives from Global Nomads will be announcing their new $500,000 challenge grant for students to help rebuild schools in Haiti; a local scientist from the Philadelphia Global Water Initiative on the water and sanitation challenges; a presentation on Political, Social and Infrastructure Issues in Haiti by Florida International University; and The Center for High-Impact Philanthropy at the University of Pennsylvania offering smart philanthropic ways to help Haiti’s earthquake victims.

The Feb. 19th “The Crisis in Haiti: What Can YOU Do to Help?” will be viewable by the public at large through a live webstream available on the event webpage at http://www.magpi.net/Community/Programs/Crisis-Haiti-What-Can-YOU-Do-Help. Schools and library organizations are also encouraged to broadcast the live webstream in public areas within their communities to further stimulate awareness. Schools and individuals are also invited to communicate via social networking platforms, facilitating interaction between students worldwide in a global youth response to this crisis.

You can also view and download the entire presentation line-up through Google Docs.

We're looking forward to having you and your students join us!

International Webcast and Call for Student Bloggers/Tweeters!

THE CRISIS IN HAITI: What can YOU do to help?
Students around the world respond

Date: Friday, February 19, 2010

Time: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM EST (Webstream will be active 10 minutes prior to start of the program)

Audience: K12 Students, University and College Students, Non-Profit and Cultural Institutions

More Information/Links of Interest/Program Line-Up: http://www.magpi.net/Community/Programs/Crisis-Haiti-What-Can-YOU-Do-Help

Webstream URL: http://beansidhe.isc-net.upenn.edu:8080/ramgen/encoder/haiti.rm

How to Connect to the Webstream: To view the webstream, you must have Real Player installed on your computer (version 8 or higher). Please see technical requirements and testing information on the program webpage. For technical support, please contact video@isc.upenn.edu.

The earthquake in Haiti shattered lives, devastating a country - - and the world responded. Most importantly, youth responded in innovative and amazing ways. Join schools around the world for this groundbreaking international videoconference and webcast to hear what youth are doing to help the victims of the Haiti earthquake. You'll also hear from aid organizations who are continually responding to the tragedy and experts that will help students understand the unique circumstances contributing to the tragedy. For the complete program presentation line-up, please visit: http://www.magpi.net/Community/Programs/Crisis-Haiti-What-Can-YOU-Do-Help.

Join us for this ground breaking event and GET INVOLVED. We encourage you to stream the program in your school, collect change and donations, 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. If you're already involved in a project, let us know through Twitter®, send us a link to your blog entry or add your photos to our online album. We're looking forward to having you and your students get involved!

One person can make an impact. Imagine what we all can do together.

Be a Live Blogger or Tweeter!
Help us get the word out and tell us what you’re doing to help Haiti via Twitter®. All you need is a Twitter® account and a computer with an internet connection! You can get an account at www.twitter.com. Sign on to your account during the webcast, follow magpik20, and tweet what you’re going to do to help - - just make sure you end your tweet with #kidshelphaiti. We will randomly select tweeters to receive some fantastic giveaways from our sponsors. The more you tweet, the better your chances are of being selected for a giveaway!

If your school has a blog, we would love for your students to be live bloggers during the event. Simply send an email to hweisse@magpi.net to let us know you're interested in live blogging. We'll post a link to your blog on this site and post brief bio information about all our featured bloggers! (You'll also get mentions and links on Twitter as the event is in progress!). Every live blog entry entitles you to a chance to win a giveaway, too.

Add your photos to our online album!
We’ve created an album on Google’s Picasa called “Kids Help Haiti.” You can view the album at http://picasaweb.google.com/magpik20/KidsHelpHaiti#. If you have photos to contribute (and we’d love to have them!), please email hweisse@magpi.net and asked to be added as an album contributor. You’ll then be able to email your photos to the online, public album. Won’t it be cool to see all of the images emerge on the album map and see what students everywhere are doing to help?

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.

Brand New Youth News Collaborative Project!

And we're looking for some high schools/middle schools to take the lead!

This spring, MAGPI will be launching a brand-new project called "Youth News Collaborative." We'll be looking for schools all across our network to join the project and submit 2-3 minute news segments for a magazine-style news show produced entirely by students. We'll be using videoconferencing to plan and coordinate each program - - and will be webcasting live (and archiving via podcast) so that everyone can see.

We are looking for four high schools/middle schools to take the lead and produce/host one program this spring. By taking the lead, a school agrees to:

• Determine a 'theme' for the program and submit that theme to Heather for posting by January 15, 2010
• Run a pre-production meeting videoconference with students at schools submitting content for the new program two weeks before the live event (pre-production meetings will be held two Fridays before the live event, from 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM)
• Write the script for the 25 minute program that includes videos submitted by 5 other schools
• Participate in a live rehearsal with the MAGPI Tech Team two days befor the live broadcast (time to be agreed on by the school and the MAGPI Tech Team)
• "Go Live!" and be the on camera talent for one program (held the last Friday of the month from 12:00 PM - 12:25 PM)

Below, please find the production timeline. If your school would like to take the lead on one of these webcasts, please contact Heather Weisse Walsh at hweisse@magpi.net ASAP. Lead roles are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

• FEBRUARY 2010
  Live Webcast: 2/26/2010 @ 12:00 PM EST
  Pre-Production Meeting VC: 2/12/2010 @ 11:30 AM EST
  
  
• MARCH 2010
  Live Webcast: 3/26/2010 @ 12:00 PM EST
  Pre-Production Meeting VC: 2/12/2010 @ 11:30 AM EST
  
  
• APRIL 2010
  Live Webcast: 4/23/2010 @ 12:00 PM EST
  Pre-Production Meeting VC: 4/9/2010 @ 11:30 AM EST
  
  
• MAY 2010
  Live Webcast: 5/28/2010 @ 12:00 PM EST
  Pre-Production Meeting VC: 5/14/2010 @ 11:30 AM EST

Not interested in taking the lead but want your student journalists to submit content? GREAT! We'll be opening registration for each session January after our lead schools have determined the theme for their production. We will be accepting videos submitted by middle and high school students for this project. And if you don't think you can contribute to the project this spring, start planning to show the webcasts during your school's lunchtime!

At this time, this program is only open to MAGPI member schools.

Thanks for your consideration! We're looking forward to this collaboration!