News for and about the Internet2 community

[Jennifer MacDougall <>]

<x-tad-bigger>Please help us circulate this Open Registration Announcement and Call for Presentations and Activities for the upcoming Megaconference Jr. 2005 to anyone who may be interested in your areas. 
 
- Deadline for presenter proposals/activities - March 28, 2005 - EXTENDED 
- Deadline for registration - April 29, 2005 - EXTENDED 
 
We look forward to your involvement!
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WHAT IS MEGACONFERENCE JR.?
Megaconference Jr., now in its second year, is a project 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. Presenters will design and conduct videoconference-based presentations and activities focused on both academic and cultural issues. Participants will be able to address questions to presenters and to collaborate with geographically diverse peers in collaborative learning activities, thus building international cultural awareness. 
 
WHEN IS IT GOING TO BE?
The event will be on May 19, 2005, and it will run from 7:00 am until 7:00 pm EDT </x-tad-bigger>(UTC-4)<x-tad-bigger>. The 12-hour duration will make it possible for schools from many time zones to participate during their regular school hours.
 
HOW CAN I CONTRIBUTE?
You can suggest a 15 min presentation and tell us about an interesting project that you have been doing in your school. You can suggest activities that could be organized at "downtimes" between the blocks of presentations. Or you can join us as participants, with no special presentation given from your side. (Questions at the end of presentations are more than welcome from everyone).
 
WHO CAN BE A PRESENTER?
Students, teachers, content providers and technical staff members.
 
HOW DO I SUBMIT A PROPOSAL? 
The proposal submission process has been streamlined this year to ensure a successful conference for all. Everyone must first register for Megaconference Jr. 2005. Once registered, sites will be contacted about testing their network connections. Upon successfully testing, those who wish to submit a proposal will be able to do so. This will ensure that all sites proposing presentations have passed a preliminary connectivity test and will allow presenters more time to focus on their dress rehearsals. 
 
WHAT TECHNOLOGY DO I NEED TO PARTICIPATE?
You will need Internet2 or comparable high-speed connection and access to H.323 video-conferencing equipment. All presentations must be made using H.323 technology, preferably at 768 Kbps, and they will be made from the presenter's location. Presentations with multiple remote presenters are encouraged. 
 
WOULD I BE ABLE TO REHEARSE?
Yes, all presenters will be required to hold at least one dress rehearsal prior to the event to rehearse and refine their presentations. 
 
HOW TO REGISTER AND SUBMIT A PROPOSAL:
Event registration and subsequent proposal submission (for interested sites) should be
completed online at: </x-tad-bigger><x-tad-bigger>http://megaconferencejr.org/?id=registration</x-tad-bigger><x-tad-bigger>
 
DEADLINES:
Submit your presenter proposal(s) by March 28, 2005. 
Registration closes: April 29, 2005. 
 
AND....
Please forward this message to anyone you feel would be interested either as a participant or a presenter site, anywhere in the world.</x-tad-bigger>

Check out the NEW Megaconference Jr. website at <x-tad-bigger>http://megaconferencejr.org</x-tad-bigger>


--
Jennifer MacDougall 
MAGPI Applications Coordinator 

phone: 215.898.0341
fax: 215.898.9348

www.magpi.net
215-74MAGPI (215-746-2474)