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Empower and Unite! Youth Create Digital Content; Compete Worldwide; Prepare for the Future [SAN DIEGO - May 23, 2007] 373 teams from 45 countries participated in Global SchoolNet's International Schools CyberFair 2007 competition-exhibition. In partnership with the World Future Society, the theme for CyberFair 2007 was "Empower and Unite!" Students were challenged to prepare for the future, by thinking about their own future plans, the conditions that will affect the future of their community, and issues of global importance. Winners were determined through peer review and by a panel of distinguished international judges. Projects that best illustrate "future thinking" will be presented at the World Future Society international conference in Minneapolis, July 2007. This year’s top projects originated from Taiwan, Poland, Singapore, Uzbekistan and Cannelton, Indiana. Taiwanese projects, taking the most honors were many and diverse and ranged from wonderful pineapple pastries, to miracle fish, to the origin of folks songs, to recognizing local leaders and understanding environmental issues. From Uzbek students, we learned about the ancient art of handcrafting. Polish youth take us on a virtual adventure to explore the castle bastion in Bedzin. Indiana elementary students tell about the importance of caves and their inhabitants, especially bats. Joan Goble, their teacher said, “Our Wondrous Wyandotte Caves project is important and will have a positive impact because it will help to inform people not only of why the caves are important but also what we all can do to preserve them.” The winning Singapore team explained, “Our participation in CyberFair has allowed us to more intrinsically understand racial harmony in the context of Singapore.” “CyberFair is a virtual world’s fair. Youth around the world create innovative educational exhibits that showcase important things about their local communities,” said Yvonne Marie Andres, president and co-founder of Global SchoolNet. International Schools CyberFair is an award-winning, authentic learning program used by schools and youth organizations around the world. This White House endorsed program was launched a decade ago with seed funding from Cisco Systems, Microsoft and MCI and is designed to be a model for what happens in the modern, high-tech workplace. Youth conduct original research, produce educational content, share their creations worldwide via web, video, blogs, podcasts, digital stories and participate in evaluating the content created by other students. Recognition is given to the best projects in eight content categories: local leaders, businesses, community organizations, historical landmarks, environment, music, art, and local specialties. CyberFair has affiliate program partners worldwide, including Taiwan SchoolNet -- and national initiatives in Philippines, Ghana, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Mexico, Pakistan, Poland, and Australia. Now in its 12th year, this competition-exhibition involves more than two million students and is the longest running international cyber event for schools. Prizes are provide by Canon USA and SimpleStar-PhotoShow. Top projects receive a one-year subscription to Futurist magazine. View CyberFair projects at www.globalschoolhouse.org/cf ABOUT GLOBAL SCHOOLNET FOUNDATION: As online learning pioneers, Global SchoolNet has become a trusted online community for global project-based and problem-based learning. Founded in 1984 by teachers who believed that in a connected world students need a global perspective, GSN brings together youth online from 194 countries to explore community, cultural and scientific issues that prepare them for the workforce and help them to become responsible and literate global citizens. Global SchoolNet is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit education organization. For more information please visit www.globalschoolnet.org #END Congratulations to ALL the awesome CyberFair 2007 projects!!! For more information about CyberFair visit www.globalschoolnet.org/cf _______________________________________________ DIGITALDIVIDE mailing list DIGITALDIVIDE@digitaldivide.net http://digitaldivide.net/mailman/listinfo/digitaldivide To unsubscribe, send a message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word UNSUBSCRIBE in the body of the message.
