News for and about the Internet2 community

["Michelle Pollak" <>]

STUDENTS AROUND THE WORLD TO GATHER AT INTERNATIONAL MEGACONFERENCE JR., 
POWERED BY THE INTERNET2 COMMONS VIDEOCONFERENCE SERVICE

WASHINGTON, D.C. - March 24, 2004 - Today, Internet2(R) announced that its 
Internet2 Commons Videoconferencing Service via H.323 is
providing the power behind the first international Megaconference Jr. to be 
held on May 6, 2004.  Megaconference Jr., born out of
the Megaconference founded by Bob Dixon at Internet2 member Ohio State 
University, is designed to give students in elementary and
secondary schools around the world the opportunity to communicate, 
collaborate and contribute to each other's learning in real-time,
using advanced multi-point video conferencing technology.

"We hope that Megaconference Jr. will pave the way for future opportunities 
for connections by teachers and students around the
world using advanced IP networks and H.323 videoconferencing.  The goal now 
is to get these technologies and opportunities into the
hands of the teachers and students, so they can build future international 
collaborations into their existing curricular
objectives," said Jennifer MacDougall, Applications Coordinator at the MAGPI 
GigaPoP.

Megaconference Jr. is being organized by a group of volunteer teachers, 
students and school technology leaders at Internet2 K-20
Initiative sponsored educational group participants (SEGPs) and individual 
sponsored participants.  A major goal of the
videoconference event is to develop a valuable international educational 
program in schools that currently have access to high-speed
networks, which can expand as the technology becomes more widely available.

Louis Fox, Director of the Internet2 K-20 Initiative said, "Megaconference 
Jr. is an exciting international collaboration,
encouraging partnerships among schools and engaging new communities of 
interest, and enhancing teaching and learning by stimulating
projects that explore the ways in which advanced network applications and 
content can extend access to education and educational
resources across the globe."

Bob Dixon, Chief Research Engineer, OARnet and Ohio State University as well 
as head of operations for the Internet2 Commons, added,
"Megaconference Jr. is a milestone since the students themselves are involved 
in planning it and making presentations to one
another.  It also serves the larger purpose of making the K-12 community 
aware of the huge advantages of Internet2 and the standard
H.323 video technology."

Internet2 members are encouraged to participate.  All participants must have 
access to the Abilene Network or equivalent high-speed
networks in countries outside the United States that link to Abilene such as 
those from Internet2 International Partner
organizations around the world.  Between 20 and 50 schools are expected to 
participate interactively in the event from at least five
countries, with many others viewing one-way streamed video.  The event will 
run from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. EST making it possible for
schools from many time zones to participate during their regular school 
hours.  For event registration and more information, visit:
http://megaconferencejr.cciu.org/.

The Internet2 Commons Videoconferencing Service via H.323 is provided for the 
Internet2 community in order to create a global,
collaborative environment.  The larger goal of the Internet2 Commons is to 
expand IP-based collaboration opportunities for the
Internet2 research and education community, allowing members to work together 
more effectively over advanced networks in support of
research and education.  Visit http://commons.internet2.edu/h323/ to 
participate in the Internet2 Commons videoconferencing service.

                                                        # # #

About Internet2(R)
Led by more than 200 U.S. universities working with industry and government, 
Internet2 develops and deploys advanced network
applications and technologies for research and higher education, accelerating 
the creation of tomorrow's Internet.  Internet2
recreates the partnerships among academia, industry, and government that 
helped foster today's Internet in its infancy.  For more
information, visit: www.internet2.edu.

CONTACT:
Michelle Pollak
Internet2
(202) 331-5345