The Connected Classroom

From Global Nomads Group:

Though we are nearing the end of the school year, our work is not done. GNG will round out the 2008-2009 school year by rapidly responding to most recent headlines.  We will be offering one last week of exciting programming in June: Rapid Response: The Democratic Republic of Congo and Swine Flu: Pandemic or Hysteria?.  In addition, following the success of Naturally Obsessed: The Making of a Scientist, the World Science Festival has offered another opportunity for students to get connected.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Rapid Response: The Democratic Republic of Congo
Since 1998, more than 5.4 million men, women, and children have died in the Democratic Republic of Congo primarily due to the consequences of its civil war (diseases, bloodshed, etc.). Just recently, the on-going conflict in the DRC has been splashed in the major headlines as the country is on the brink of another war. In this special PULSE series, students will be introduced to the challenges facing the DRC and learn to identify the root causes of its conflict and the humanitarian and environmental issues as a result of it. In addition, students will learn to celebrate the history and culture of the DRC and identify the ways to bring hope to its future.

Students will be joined by individuals and experts who have worked deep in the trenches of this conflict including: Bryan Mealer, author of “All Things Must Fight to Live: Stories of War and Deliverance in the Congo.”

Mealer was the Associated Press staff correspondent in Kinshasa, Congo, and has reported from locations across the African continent, including Nairobi, Somalia, and Togo. His writing has appeared in Harper’s and Esquire, among others.

Tuesday, June 2 | High School: 11:00 AM-12:00 PM EDT
Thursday, June 4 | High School: 11:00 AM-12:00 PM EDT
Cost: $300 per VC or membership price*

Mexico City

Swine Flu:  Pandemic or Hysteria?
In the recent months, the outbreak of Influenza A virus subtype H1NI, also known as the Swine Flu captured the headlines as the effects of this virus spread across the globe.  As reports of confirmed H1N1 cases steadily increased around the world, the UN’s World Health Organization responded by expressing concern over a potential world-wide flu pandemic, citing the outbreak at a “Phase 5” level of alert (out of 6).   “In announcing the notching up of the alert level to Phase 5 last night, WHO Director-General Margaret Chan said it was a signal to Governments and to the private sector that preparatory actions should now be undertaken with ‘extreme urgency’” (www.un.org). As a result, many schools have taken extra precautionary measures as seen through the number of schools closing where there are confirmed cases or in many scenarios, where there are suspected cases.

In this Rapid Response session, students will have the opportunity to share how H1N1 has affected their local community.  As GNG reports live from NYC, with one of the highest confirmed numbers of cases in the US, students will learn about its effects first hand.  Students will also delve deeper into the effects of H1N1 by speaking with an expert and learn how they can take better preventative measures against this influenza.

Friday, June 5 | Middle and High School: 11:00-12:00 PM EDT
Cost: $150 or membership price*

World Science Festival
Following a successful program featuring the filmmakers of Naturally Obsessed: The Making of a Scientist, the World Science Festival is excited to bring another opportunity for students to plug-in through Pioneers in Science!

On Thursday June 11, selected New York City High School students will interview Nobel laureate and co-chair of the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology, Harold Varmus, and preeminent marine biologist, Sylvia Earle. Wherever you are in the world, you can be part of this event by submitting your questions for the scientists.

Submit questions for two Pioneers in Science! The World Science Festival may choose your question to ask at the Pioneers in Science live interview on June 11. Don’t forget to check back to watch video from the event!

Tags: Associated Press, Bryan Mealer, Civil War, Creative Commons, Democratic Republic of Congo, Flickr, Global Nomads Group, H1NI, Harold Varmus, Influenza, Kinshasa, Swine Flu, Sylvia Earle, U.N., WHO Director-General Margaret Chan, World Health Organization, World Science Festival