SMARTer Kids Foundation launches ImagiNations, an international collaborative learning program

Teddy bear ambassadors help children explore various cultures

Calgary, AB --- December 16, 2002 --- The SMARTer Kids Foundation of Canada introduces ImagiNations, an international collaborative learning program for elementary and primary school children. Traveling teddy bears will act as ambassadors, promoting cross-cultural learning by collecting information and memorabilia to share with students at each stop on their journeys. Students can engage actively with their peers around the world, examine similarities and differences among cultures and become more knowledgeable about, and respectful of, others.

The Foundation is currently accepting applications for ImagiNations from elementary and primary teachers around the world. Applications must be received by January 15, 2003.

“Cross-cultural appreciation is an absolute necessity in today’s global society,” says Nancy Knowlton, executive director of the SMARTer Kids Foundation. “ImagiNations aims to help teachers and students experience learning and interaction beyond the classroom and develop a better understanding of various cultures and viewpoints.”

Program Details
In January 2003, 50 schools will be placed into 10 geographically diverse groups. From February to June 2003, the teddy bears will travel among the schools, spending about a month at each school. Students will be encouraged to take the teddy bears home and document the teddy bears’ adventures in their accompanying journals. Teachers and students will also add memorabilia – including maps, postcards, photographs and souvenirs – to the teddy bears’ collections to share with other students on the teddy bears’ tours.

The Foundation hopes to promote a learning environment where in students are motivated to write and share their perspectives and experiences with those from other regions. Teachers are encouraged to continue building relationships with the schools in their group to undertake other collaborative learning projects.

The ImagiNations Web site will contain a curriculum area to help teachers integrate the ImagiNations program into their existing curriculum. The travels of the ImagiNations teddy bears will be documented through journal entries and photos posted at www.smarterkids.org/ImagiNations.

Background
The idea for the ImagiNations program originated from a teacher who participated in the 2001–2002 Connections program, another collaborative learning program offered through the SMARTer Kids Foundation. The teacher used a traveling teddy bear as a way for her students to learn about other Connections students located throughout North America. Inspired by the success of this concept, the Foundation developed the ImagiNations program on an international level.

How to Apply
Application forms are available online at www.smarterkids.org/ImagiNations/apply.asp or from the Foundation office at +1.403.802.2549.

Applications must be received by January 15, 2003. Applicants will be notified of their application status by January 17, 2003. Full program details and eligibility criteria are available online.

Applying schools must serve students in grades one through six who are able to correspond in English. These schools must find value in students making connections with other students around the globe.

	As the Foundations’ founding and funding partner, SMART Technologies Inc. provides much of the vision and funding for ImagiNations.
	Ty Canada Inc. provides Beanie Buddies teddy bears that will act as ImagiNations ambassadors.
	Federal Express Canada Ltd. provides worldwide transportation for the teddy bears and accompanying memorabilia.

The SMARTer Kids Foundation is also pursuing other partnerships for ImagiNations.

About SMART
SMART Technologies Inc. is both the industry pioneer and market leader in easy-to-use interactive technology products. SMART products include the family of award-winning SMART Board™ interactive whiteboards, as well as multimedia furniture, whiteboard cameras and software. Using SMART products, groups can access and share the information they need to meet, teach, train and present. SMART customers in education include Northern Kentucky University, Tennessee’s Rhea County Department of Education, the Vermont Institute for Science, Math & Technology, Indiana’s Carmel Junior High School, Virginia’s Chesterfield County Public Schools and Harvard University.

SMART is a private company founded in 1987. Employing more than 380 people, SMART is headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, with manufacturing facilities in Ottawa and Calgary, and offices in Bonn, Tokyo, New York City and Washington, DC. In 1992 SMART formed a strategic alliance with U.S. company Intel Corporation that resulted in joint product development and marketing efforts, and Intel’s equity ownership in SMART. SMART products are sold through dealers across North America and through distributors worldwide. For more information, visit www.smarttech.com.

About Ty Canada Inc.
Ty Canada Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Ty Inc., the creator of the world-famous Beanie Babies and other plush collectibles for people of all ages. For more information, visit www.ty.com.

About Federal Express Canada Ltd.
Federal Express Canada Ltd. is a global logistics company offering domestic and international shipping and electronic commerce solutions. The company uses real-time package status tracking systems, automated customs clearance services and a dedicated air and ground transportation network to serve Canadian and global markets. Celebrating 13 years in Canada, FedEx is dedicated to being the nation’s “employer, neighbor and shipper of choice.” FedEx employs more than 5,000 people in over 60 facilities coast-to-coast.

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Please note that SMART is in all capital letters.