A year’s work, a team’s countless hours, a group’s research, monumental collaboration, an individual’s presentations on film footage and live on stage. It’s showtime for 23 students, and no matter how you spell it, IP is a multimedia educational in-house field trip worth taking. Join us on Wednesday, May 27, 2009 at Salisbury High School’s auditorium, or if you cannot attend in person, you can participate virtually in real time by joining our backchannels on Ustream.tv. You can attend by clicking this link, and you can participate in a chat format as well.
If you are new to the Integrated Project, this year’s venue, which explores factual and counterfactual history, asks and answers this essential question: What if there was no news? What’s news? So, why not join us as students rewrite the history of an era as it was, and as it might have been. All times are ET.
8:51-9:51An Era on Air: 1920-1933–Brandon Aversano, Chloe Frick, Olga Karounos, Erin Lobach, Dennis Peterson, Meagan Walsh
Guest Bloggers Brandon Aversano and Fatema Rajmohamed
It was an experience that the four of us would surely never forget. It all began when Jennifer Brinson, our Advanced Placement United States History Teacher, informed of us a contest titled J8. The J8 coincides with the global summit held by the G8 countries (United States, Canada, France, Italy, Germany, Japan, Russia, and the United Kingdom) in July, in which the eight leaders of the most powerful countries in the world discuss key issues facing the world today. J8 is a national competition in which teams of four (ages 13-17) create and submit an application to the United States branch of UNICEF. The winning team would spend a preparatory weekend in New York during the month of May, and then travel to Italy in July to join other youth teams from the G8 countries. The J8 conference occurs during the G8 summit, allowing the youths participating in the conference to interact with the most influential and powerful political leaders of our time.
With our ears wide open as Ms. Brinson explained the components of the intense competition, we decided there was no possible way we were going to allow an opportunity such as this one to pass through our fingers. The four of us (Brandon Aversano, Olga Karounos, Fatema Rajmohamed, Melinda Lehman), set to work on an application that would take over a month to complete successfully. We began by downloading the United States application form on the J8 website. With numerous aspects of the application form, each requiring its own special time and attention, we decided to each research and create our own ideas for each category.
Our first challenge was deriving a team name that encompassed our mission and purpose in the competition, as well as the individuality of our members. Spending a good deal of time creating a name, we decided to ask Ms. Brinson for some advice. The team recognized how global the J8 competition truly was, and therefore wanted to emphasize this in the team name. Taking ideas from the categories in the application, we finally arrived at our team name, G.U.I.D.E. The pneumonic device stands for, Globally Unified Individuals for Diplomacy and Ecology. R.J. Stangherlin served as our coach throughout the entire process. Helping us synthesize our information, create a platform with depth and understanding, and allowing us to realize our potentioal, Mrs. Stangherlin was a crucial part to the entire competition. However, as integral as Mrs. Stangherlin was, she allowed the members of GUIDE to complete the project on their own terms, because after all, the J8 was looking for youth voices.
J8 wanted us to create solutions on three pressing issues facing the world today including Climate Change, HIV/Aids and Infectious diseases, and a third topic of our choosing. Each of us researched the topics extensively on our own, and following this, we held morning meetings to compile our information and form conclusions on the best possible route for tackling the momentous problems at hand. Our solution for Climate Change consisted of limiting the amount of deforestation and promoting agroforestry business. Additionally, GUIDE suggested using alternative energy sources to curb the amount of CO2 released into the atmosphere. Gathering inspiration from conferences we have attended and even our own personal experience (Lehman’s time in Africa), we had a couple solutions for curbing HIV/AIDS in developing countries. Recognizing the importance and efficiency of microfinancing/microcrediting, we conveyed the very real possibility of implementing such a system in these developing countries to break the cycle of poverty, and therefore reduce the necessity to use prostitution as a means of obtaining monetary relief. The spread of HIV/AIDS would surely decline along with the decline of prostitution. For our third topic, we chose to tackle the problem of insufficient education in developing countries. GUIDE encouraged G8 nations to remove financial barriers (cost of notebooks, textbooks, pencils, pens, calculators) to disenfranchised families in developing countries. The adoption of a mandatory student teaching in developing countries, for students studying education in G8 nations, was also recommended by GUIDE.
UNICEF stressed their requirement for diversity in the application, and our team absolutely fulfilled this requirement! Aversano (17 year old male) brought his Ashekanzi Jewish background and his lingustic endeavors in a second language (Spanish) to the diversity of the team. Karounos (16 year old female) has a strong Greek heritage with comfort in the Greek language as well as Spanish. Rajmohamed (17 year old female) has a practicing Shia Muslim, speaking Gujariti (and Indian language), she brought another sect of language and culture to the table. Lehman (17 year old female), spent many years in Tanzania, Africa, assimilating to the customs and cultures of her surrounding; not only fluent in English and Kiswahili, she has experience with the French language as well. The team clearly embodied diversity, with strong ethnic backgrounds, and linguistic abilities in a myriad of languages.
Stressing our social commitment and love for community, we included the various activities and events the members of the team have completed. Each member brought unique benefits and individuality to the group, creating a diverse and interesting makeup. All the members have participated in different forms of community service, whether it be domestic or abroad, and each member had experience with political and governmental bodies. Encompassing a broad range of skills and talents, GUIDE was easily able to strengthen the overall reliability of the application.
Utilizing technology with the purpose of reaching a larger demographic of people, UNICEF required a piece of writing detailing our experience and ability with various forms of technology, and how we, as a team, would utilized this background to gain a broader audience. Working with modern 2.0 tools such as Google docs and Facebook, our team was able to successfully communicate numerous ways to reach more people. Proposing the creation of a 2 day LCIU course on global technology integration, the team showed how we could reach our community; and therefore our community could reach the world. GUIDE went above and beyond the requirements of the J8 and created supplemental material to submit along with the application. An animoto further emphasizing the points of our application, along with an xtranormal video, created the diverse application that led to an impressive placement in the competition.
After submitting on March 30th 2009, all GUIDE could do was wait in ernest. Receiving a confirmation of reception from UNICEF, we learned we would be informed of our status around April 30th 2009. The morning of the 30th each member anxiously arrived at school waiting to see the outcome of our hard work and anticipation. Unfortunately, the notification did not come. Dejected and tired, GUIDE lost some of the enthusiasm we had possessed from the start. Finally, on May 5th 2009, GUIDE received an email from UNICEF with the results! Excitedly, we opened the email. Inside we learned we had not come out on top, however, we had made the top 10! GUIDE WAS ECSTATIC! Our application had placed us in the top 10 for the entire nation. Feeling successfully and as if the entire process was worth it, GUIDE rejoiced in the outcome. Learning so much, debating world issues, collaborating on a team, utilizing technology, embodying diversity, and realizing the potential of four teens in suburbia, GUIDE felt the entire J8 experience was one to remember!
Economy, Education, and Global Opinions: The Fates of Postmodern Societies
The United States currently still ranks as a superpower, but three main fundamental changes would have to occur for the United States to remain a superpower. The first change that the United States would have to make to remain a superpower is to alter its economy. In recent years the United States’ economy has transformed from a manufacturing economy to a service economy, and no longer produces and manufacturers an abundance of goods. Another change the United States would have to make is a reformation of the United States’ educational system. The educational system of the United States is falling behind that of China and Japan, and in order for the United States to remain a superpower it must have the ability to stay on the top politically, militarily, and scientifically. Finally, the United States needs to make social changes and improve the world’s opinion of the United States. Americans need to lose their arrogance and face the fact that if the United States does not truly change, it will quickly slip behind other countries as the greatest superpower in the world. If the United States could manage to transform its economy, modify its educational system, and improve its global opinion, then the United States will be able to remain a superpower and continue to flourish.
A change that needs to occur is an alteration of the United States’ economy to return it back to a manufacturing economy. The United States used to be one of the leading producers of steel and agricultural goods. Mines and factories used to flourish in the United States. Now the United States’ economy has completely transformed into a service economy. Most United States’ citizens do not leave high school and work in factory or attend a trade school. Most Americans go to college to become doctors, lawyer, business men, etc. There is nothing wrong with these occupations, but a careful balance must be maintained. A society that does not have enough sustenance to support itself is destined to fail. For example the Unites States consumes twenty five percent of the world’s oil, but produces very little of its own. The United States has become extremely dependent on countries such as Canada, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Nigeria, and Venezuela for its oil. The United States’ national debt has exceeded ten trillion dollars and its average increase is at about four billion dollars a day. This shows that the United States would have to make economic changes if it is to remain a superpower.
The United States’ educational system is struggling to keep up with foreign countries. Many American children are not getting pushed to perform to their best and work their hardest. Teachers are not allowed to be as strict, and Americans are quickly losing the work ethic and respect that once characterized the United States. Another main problem is college education. The tuition costs at colleges are soaring every year, and even with financial aid it is very difficult for some Americans to attend college. The average tuition costs for a private four-year school is $25,143 and the average tuition costs for a public four-year school is $6,585. The United States needs to remember that are children are our future. The result of education is great thinkers that make developments in many fields. The United States needs to be able to invent the newest technologies, more efficient fuel alternatives, new food production techniques, better military supplies, and new medical cures if it is going to remain a world superpower. Great minds are also needed for politics and diplomatic relations. The United States can not afford to lose any more respect and dominance on the world political stage. In order for the United States to retain its title as a superpower it has to better its educational system and continue to produce brilliant, imaginative minds.
If Americans do not stop pretending that current conditions are fine and that the United States is still the dominant world power the United States will not remain a superpower. Many Americans have developed an arrogance and ego that make them think that they are superior to everybody else. The world recognizes the attitudes of many Americans and therefore resent the United States. The first step in solving a problem is recognizing the problem. Americans have to recognize the problem and make changes, whether they are changes in thought or changes in life style, to better the world’s opinion of the United States. Countries like China and Russia are quickly thriving and rising in power. The United States needs to work with these countries, but cannot become at all reliant or dependent upon these foreign countries. The United States must also continue to provide humanitarian aid to foreign countries, but has to avoid the unilateral approach it has adopted in recent year. The United States must realize that it can not do everything by itself and must make sure that it has the support and consent of foreign nations, as well as the United Nations. By doing this the United States may be able to lessen American hatred and remove its reputation as a global bully. This does not mean that the United States should remain docile and unresponsive to global affairs, but must keep its power and influence under control. The United States must be able to realize that it is quickly falling behind and that it must change its world opinion if it is to remain a great superpower.
The United States must act quickly to change its economy, educational system, and global opinion or the consequences could be severe. I believe that China, Russia, and possibly India could compete with or even completely surpass the United States as the greatest superpowers. Not only do these countries have a tremendous amount of land and natural resources, but they also have gigantic populations. China and Indian both are inhabited by almost one billion more people than the United States. These huge populations account for a large work force, as well as a great army. The United States would no longer have the greatest army in the world and would lose its dominance and prestige. On the other hand I believe that if the United States can make these changes, it will remain the number one superpower in the world. I believe the United States’ economy will bounce back and Americans will again enjoy the economic prosperity that they had in the early 1990’s. Also if the United States can manage to better its educational system it will continue to produce the best generals, inventors, scientists, and diplomats. If Americans can face the facts and lose the arrogance that characterizes them now, they will be able to improve the world’s opinion of the United States. Finally, I believe that if the United States can make these changes no dictator or communist regime can ever compete with the beacon of liberty, freedom, and democracy, the United States.
What am I missing this weekend? A best friend and colleague and 16 wonderful students in Washington, DC, at NAIMUN, the largest model United Nations in the United States. Nothing can replicate the real-world higher level thinking and speaking skills that this UN simulation creates for thousands of students, and our 16 are more than up for the challenge. From emails between us, Jennifer Brinson tells me that the students have a chance at an award, although competition from other schools who have a Model UN year-long course in their curriculum makes winning a tremendous challenge against the odds. (But more about their experiences in another blog, student written and hosted on my two schoolblogs).
In the past few years, I have tagged along. Some say that Brinson was bringing her press corps with her, but she is equal to that task alone with the launching of her new blog, Education, Technology, and Fun. This year, for many reasons, I opted to remain behind. Much good has come from that decision, including launching Katie Stehly as Brinson’s new helper. And that makes much sense, since Stehly is a history teacher at Salisbury Middle School, and definitely technologically intelligent as a grown digital native (and Salisbury High School graduate). But do I miss being in the moment–absolutely. Am I happy with my decision–definitely. There comes a time when you transition to a place between career and family, and I am finally attempting to do what I should have done a while ago: make family come first. Jen Brinson Katie Stehley Salisbury High School Model UN NAIMUN Education Turbo Tagger
BrainyFlix wants to help students prepare for the SATs through a mode of learning that research has proven to be very powerful for 21st century learners – video. Here is the contest overview: We’re trying to help kids prepare for the SAT by offering fun and free videos about SAT vocabulary, made by YOU! We’re offering $600 in prize money to the video that receives the most number of votes. $200 of the payout will go to the maker(s) of the video and $400 to the class or school club of his/her choice.
And to make this viral, we’ll give out 1 free iTunes download for every 5 videos you submit or referrals you provide. iTunes downloads available for first 1000 videos only.
Here are the basic contest rules:
* Make a video about any SAT/ACT vocabulary word of your choosing from this list. On that list, they show you how many videos have been submitted for each word. You are encouraged to choose one without any videos submissions.
* 1 video for 1 word, but you can make as many videos as you want.
* Anyone can enter the competition! Just remember that part of the prize money has to go to a U.S. high school or middle school of your choosing.
* All voting will happen at BrainyFlix.com, so make sure your video includes the following text: “Vote for this video at www.BrainyFlix.com/xxxxx”. And substitute the “xxxxx” with your vocab word.
* Important contest dates: o Video submission ends: 3/16/2009 o Voting opens: 3/23/2009 o Voting ends: 4/5/2009 o Winners announced: 4/13/2009
Click here to watch videos that some students have already created. Take a look at what you can do with xtranormal to create an SAT video contest entry.
A year’s work, a team’s countless hours, a group’s research, monumental collaboration, an individual’s presentations on film footage and live on stage. It’s showtime for 23 students, and no matter how you spell it, IP is a multimedia educational in-house field trip worth taking. Join us on Wednesday, May 27, 2009 at Salisbury High School’s auditorium, or if you cannot attend in person, you can participate virtually in real time by joining our backchannels on Ustream.tv. You can attend by clicking this link, and you can participate in a chat format as well.![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_e.png?x-id=b86a386e-733b-4432-bf20-d6a143d6fd6b)
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