SMARTer Kids Foundation accepting applications for ImagiNations,
an international collaborative learning program

Teddy bear ambassadors encourage cross-cultural understanding among children

Calgary, AB --- April 6, 2004 --- The SMARTer Kids™ Foundation of Canada is now accepting applications for the 2004–2005 round of ImagiNations™, an international collaborative learning program for elementary and primary school children. Selected schools receive a box containing a teddy bear, journal and photo album for about one month. During this time, students are encouraged to take the teddy bear home and document its adventures in the journal. Teachers and students are also expected to add memorabilia to the box such as maps, postcards, photographs and souvenirs. The teddy bear is then sent to the next school, where its accompanying journal and memorabilia are shared with a new class. In the 2004–2005 school year, at least 25 teddy bears will visit more than 200 schools. Each teddy bear will travel to six to eight schools that are grouped to ensure geographical diversity. Since the program’s inception last year, ImagiNations teddy bears have visited more than 200 classrooms and 5,000 students around the world.

The idea for the ImagiNations program originated with 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. The aim of the ImagiNations program is to foster a collaborative learning environment in which children develop their writing skills and are exposed to the cultures, perspectives and experiences of their peers around the world. Teachers are encouraged to continue building relationships with participating schools worldwide by undertaking other collaborative learning projects.

“The teddy bear is a universally familiar and trusted companion for children and a great ambassador for the ImagiNations program,” says Nancy Knowlton, executive director of the SMARTer Kids Foundation. “Through ImagiNations, the traveling teddy bears take children on a journey that explores other cultures and viewpoints they may not otherwise experience.”

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

Testimonials

“One of the most amazing parts of Ariel’s visit was the willingness of students to write about her, especially students who don’t want to write or complete classroom work,” says Karen Mensinger, Belfair Elementary, Belfair, Washington, who participated in ImagiNations 2003–2004. “After I shared one student’s writing and she was praised for her efforts, the student started turning in her classroom work! I am so appreciative of the SMARTer Kids ImagiNations program and our chance to be part of it.”

“ImagiNations has been an amazing learning experience for my students and me,” says Libby Walden, Colony Elementary, London, Kentucky, who participated in ImagiNations 2003–2004. “Through our teddy bear, Molasses, we studied all about Kentucky and experienced Nova Scotia, Canada, and Toledo, Ohio. My students were thrilled to have Molasses visit us.”

“I just want to thank the SMARTer Kids Foundation so much for the opportunity to expose my students, who don’t usually get a chance to see other cultures, to people from other states,” says Gwenae Mitchell, A.A. Milne Elementary, Houston, Texas, who participated in ImagiNations 2003–2004. “I teach economically disadvantaged children who lack a lot of exposure, and the ImagiNations program has provided them with a unique learning opportunity.”

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

Applications must be received by August 13, 2004. Applicants will be notified of their application status by August 31, 2004. Full program details and eligibility criteria are available online.

Teachers applying to the program must teach students in kindergarten through grade six who are able to correspond in English. Teachers and students are expected to contribute journal entries, photographs and memorabilia to the teddy bear’s box before shipping the bear to its next destination. The Foundation will cover costs for shipping, journals and photo albums.

Supporting Sponsors

The ImagiNations program is made possible through the generosity of the SMARTer Kids Foundation’s supporting sponsors:
	SMART Technologies Inc., as the Foundations’ founding and funding sponsor, provides much of the vision and funding for ImagiNations
	Ty Canada Inc. provides Beanie Buddies teddy bears that act as ImagiNations ambassadors
	Federal Express Canada Ltd. provides worldwide transportation for the teddy bears and accompanying memorabilia

The SMARTer Kids Foundation is also accepting other sponsors for ImagiNations.

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

SMART is a private company founded in 1987. Employing more than 450 people, SMART is headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, with assembly facilities in Ottawa and Calgary, and offices in Bonn, Tokyo, New York City and Washington, DC. In 1992 SMART formed a strategic alliance with 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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