News for and about the Internet2 community

[Jennifer Oxenford <>]

Press Contact : 
Jennifer Oxenford
215-898-0341 (office)
267-322-0036 (cell)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN GLOBAL VIDEOCONFERENCE EVENT 

On Thursday, May 18, 2005 students and educators will participate in the third annual Megaconference Jr. global event. Megaconference Jr. is a project designed to give students in elementary/primary 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 design and conduct videoconference-based presentations and activities focused on academic and cultural issues. Participants address questions to presenters and collaborate with geographically diverse peers in collaborative learning activities, thus building international cultural awareness. 

Where else are you going to be able to experience girls from Minnesota talking about their TVbyGirls media literacy program with students in Slovenia? Or children in India and Pennsylvania teaching each other native songs and dances in real-time all through high-speed videoconferencing? You'll also experience students in Barcelona presenting on sustainable development, interactive space simulations from Ohio, and discussions about nanotechnology across the waters from Australia, and much, much more. Join us from sun up to sun down all around the world. A complete schedule of the day’s events is available at http://www.megaconferencejr.org. 

The Megaconference Jr. event will include participants from over 225 schools and over 12 countries around the world including the US, Canada, Spain, Australia, Pakistan, Taiwan, Slovenia, N. Ireland, Finland, New Zealand, and England, Sites anywhere in the world are also encouraged to watch the live stream on May 18th at http://commonsvcg.oar.net/megaconference. The event runs from 7 am until 7 pm (EDT). The 12 hour duration makes it possible for schools from many time zones to participate during their regular school hours.

About Megaconference Jr. 
Megaconference Jr. is the world’s first all virtual K-12 videoconference event over Internet2 and high-speed networks around the world. This event is made possible by a volunteer team of technologists, students, teachers and staff at Internet2 member institutions, SEGPs, and International MOU partner members around the world. The Internet2 Commons Videoconferencing Service provides the high capacity multi-point videoconferencing technology that makes this event possible. Steering team members include the Internet2 Commons, OARnet, MAGPI/UPENN, Chester County Intermediate Unit, TIES, and St. Clair County RESA. Sponsors include Polycom, LifeSize, Tandberg, CODIAN, CILC, and VuPorts. 

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Jennifer Oxenford 
Associate Director, MAGPI 

phone: 215.898.0341
cell: 267.322.0036
fax: 215.898.9348

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