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 SMARTer Kids Foundation invites schools to participate in ImagiNations International collaborative learning program for children uses traveling teddy bears to promote cross-cultural understanding CALGARY, Alberta --- April 19, 2005 --- The SMARTer Kids™ Foundation of Canada is now accepting applications for the 2005-2006 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 2005-2006 school year, at least 30 teddy bears will visit approximately 200 schools. Each teddy bear will travel to six to eight schools that are grouped to ensure geographical diversity. Since the program's inception three years ago, ImagiNations teddy bears have visited more than 350 classrooms and over 9,000 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 ImagiNations program fosters a shared learning experience 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. “An appreciation for cultural diversity is an important lesson for children in today’s global society,” says Nancy Knowlton, executive director of the SMARTer Kids Foundation. “ImagiNations is a way for schools worldwide to provide students with the opportunity to explore other cultures and new perspectives.” 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“It was very visible that my students as well as the previous schools and students really enjoyed having the bear,” says Celeste B., New Orleans, Louisiana, who participated in ImagiNations 2004–2005. “It is a great way for non-traveling students to see other parts of the United States and be able to compare their likes and differences.” “Added to the ImagiNations box are two diaries with lots of photos inside, postcards of Kenya, a wooden giraffe and a folder full of drawings and writing by the children about his visit and about life in Kenya,” says Charles Cornelius, Nairobi, Kenya, who participated in ImagiNations 2002–2003. “We certainly enjoyed having [the bear] with us and - as you will see from all the photos – he seems to have had great fun too! “It's amazing how one little bear can impact an entire school, and there were more than 200 students directly involved in his day-to-day adventures,” says Deb Fox, Vero Beach, Florida, who participated in ImagiNations 2004–2005. “For [the bear's] farewell tour, we paraded him around the school in a little blue wagon. It was a very emotional experience for everyone, and some of the kindergarteners were even convinced that I would be leaving for Arkansas with him! Thanks for including us in this so-cool program.” How to Apply Applications must be received by August 12, 2005. Applicants will be notified of their application status by August 19, 2005. 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
About SMART SMART is a private company founded in 1987. Employing more than 600 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, D.C. 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 distributors worldwide. For more information, visit www.smarttech.com. About Ty Canada Inc. About Federal Express Canada Ltd. - # # # - For more information, contact:Public Relations SMARTer Kids Foundation 1207 - 11th Avenue SW, Suite 300 Calgary, AB T3C 0M5 CANADA Phone +1.403.802.2595 Fax +1.403.228.2500 pr@smarterkids.org www.smarterkids.org Please note that SMART is in all capital letters. |
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© 2008 SMARTer Kids Foundation
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