Connecting Youth Through Volunteerism - A Sampling of Amazing Projects from Escondido Charter High School

I spent an amazing day at Escondido Charter High School... with the students involved with the US-Russia CyberFair projects that connect youth through volunteerism.

I was totally blown away by their ambitious projects. Here are a few examples... and believe me, the descriptions barely due justice to their efforts.

International Education Documentary
I am creating a film about the positive things in American education. My goal is to bring American students closer to the rest of the world. My film is opposite of the film "Waiting For Superman." With my documentary, people will become aware of new types of education that bring an international perspective on the world.  This video documentary has been sponsored by the Energized Students Foundation. A Hollywood Film Crew has been sent to film what started out as a cultural differences film into a full blown International Documentary about education. This project highlights the flawed American education system and makes students and parents aware of other education opportunities in America and over seas.

We Can Help Phone App
My project is to create an iPhone/Android application that will contribute donations to Orphanages in Shanghai, China.  My community is an innovative group of students, who are working on a set of international projects in shanghai to better themselves in understanding International business and Entrepreneurship.

Smaller House, Better Home
My project is building a new homes in Escondido. The home models I am using are from the US Department of Energy Solar Decathlon -  which is a competition that happens every 2 years. In this competition, universities from all over the world are challenged to build the most energy-efficient, cost-efficient home, that is both functional and attractive. My goal is to build the nicest home as cheaply as possible. I will be using the 2011 winner WaterShed by the University of Maryland.

Broadway Workshops
We are a group of high school students that are bringing the Broadway experience to other countries. We want to share the opportunities that we have been able to experience with those who do not have the same resources that we do. We will be traveling to China and performing short excepts from different Broadway musical at orphanages in China.

Connections Through Music
The name of my project is Musicakin. My project is an online community for musicians. It is basically a website that I will build. The website will offer an opportunity for any musician worldwide, regardless of age, skill, artist, hobbyist, location, etc., to connect with each other. Using my website, musicians will be able to collaborate, follow artists, make their own bands, share lessons, learn lessons, get together and jam with friends, and a few other things. There will also be a classified ad section where they could sell and/or buy equipment.

Learn More:
http://www.globalschoolnet.org/gsncf/volunteerism/)

Seeking Collaborative Projects or Partners?

HILITES is brought to you by the Global SchoolNet Foundation and it is moderated BY teachers FOR teachers. HILITES is the OLDEST list of telecollaboration project announcements on the Internet (started in 1985 on the old FrEdMail Network).  We invite you to submit your own project announcement there. 

• Post an announcement to HILITES
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We don't post questions, announcements, requests for pen pals or sister classes or any other messages which do not support a concrete, multi-lateral learning project that engages students in more than one classroom. We will post surveys and requests for information only if they include activities, products, or outcomes which can also benefit contributing classes.
Because we do so much of the filtering for you, you can feel confident that you're getting the best selection of projects listed anywhere, which means that you won't have to wade through hundreds of extraneous messages to find the project announcements you're looking for.
You can:

• Read about the GSN Hilites List 
• You can click on "Join This List" at the bottom of that page.
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  You will receive an email confirmation to validate your subscription.All you have to do is REPLY TO that email message.
• Browse HILITES archives from 2002 to the present
• Browse HILITES archives from 1995 to 1999 (Find interesting project examples in this archive of collaborative learning projects.
• Learn how to post your own project to the Projects Registry (and to HILITES).

All projects are posted at the GSN Projects Registry
at http://www.globalschoolnet.org/gsh/pr/
 

Diplomacy: Diplomacy and Deterrence in Singapore

This excellent student-produced video was created for the Doors to Diplomacy competition. Learn more about this project at: http://www.globalschoolnet.org/gsndoors/narrative_view.cfm?pID=6727



The student writes, 

"Without participating in the Doors to Diplomacy programme I would not have gained the deeper understanding of international politics and the principles of international interaction. The process has given me opportunities to express my opinions and perspective on global issues, and has in turn contributed to experience outside normal academic curriculum. It has developed the breadth of my perspective and to the depth of my analysis of sources, while allowing all of us in the team to learn to rely on each other and make use of each others skills. It is very much similar to the gains of being in a committed CCA competition, except for me it has a greater degree of comfort, freedom and expression. The ups and downs I experienced through the journey were directed at my personal faults, such as being incapable of plotting milestones and framing a long-term effort for the team, and I wish to work on these in the near future. The experience will follow with me through the next lap of my learning journey."