PROJECT IDEA EXCHANGE “PIE” MONTHLY NEWSLETTER VOLUME 3: NO. 3 January 2004 http://pie.mcvts.net PROGRAM OF THE MONTH   Students at Perth Amboy Tech High School in New Jersey, USA are studying geography and culture on a global basis by means of international research projects.  Every project requires that each grade nine student complete three tasks, each which builds upon the previous.   The first task is research. This involves more than accessing the usual printed text and Internet data sources. Students are required to contact, via email, someone in his or her international country of study. Some students have been contacting PIE members, asking for their assistance. This is a wonderful opportunity for PIE member teachers to involve their students in assisting others in learning about various geographies and cultures of the world. Students are also contacting Permanent Missions at the United Nations for additional data. A complete listing of each Mission, with their e-mail address, can be found at the official United Nations website (www.un.org).  Once the research data has been gathered, the students will then write their research paper. Each paper examines that country’s geography, selected aspects of its culture and an issue that is faced by the inhabitants of that country. The students are then to create a possible solution to address the issue that the students identified. To complete the project, the students will create an advertising program. The goal is to encourage tourists to visit the country that the students studied. The students must research airline schedules and costs for hotels, food and additional travel expenses. Their advertising program that must include a visual presentation describing the country along with some type of commercial that portrays the country in a positive manner.    This project can easily be modified to fit any grade level. It permits students to learn more about others, to think in a critical manner and be creative all at the same time. If you wish to learn more about this technology-based effort and how you can use it in your classes, please contact Ernie Read (reade@mail.mcvts.net). MEMBER NEWS PROJECT IDEA EXCHANGE is proud to welcome the following new member to its steady growing worldwide membership. Priscilla Hole: Education Student Alvernia College Reading, Pennsylvania, USA PIE "TIP OF THE MONTH"   Are you looking for a means to find an answer to that tricky question? Are you looking for a means to have your students practice their English and their research skills at the same time? If YES, then may I strongly suggested that you access a truly amazing reference site “refdesk.com: The Single Best Source for Facts”  (www.refdesk.com).  The site contains an overwhelming amount of information separated into various sections. Some of these sections include “Site of the Day”, “In the News”, “Word of the Day”, “Today’s Pictures” in addition to numerous other sections. Despite the fact that a large amount of the information is focused on the United States, there are numerous areas and links to available sites that will meet the needs of teachers and students alike on an international basis. Also included is a segment entitled “Translation Dictionaries” which permits the user to translate single words from English into Spanish, German Italian and/or French.   Normally, when I share an interesting website, I usually recommend that you take a few minutes to explore the site. But with “refdesk.com.”, a few minutes will only allow you to explore the home page. Be prepared to spend a great amount of time exploring some of the amazing reference and other sections and links of this extremely valuable website. This site will allow the user to open the door to an almost unlimited amount of information. DIRECTOR'S NOTES   May I take the opportunity to extend congratulations to Elina Khmyrova and her students. Elina’s students recently took First Place honors in the opening round of the  “Olympiad on the English Language” held at the Rasskazovo Schools in Russia. Elina’s students will now advance to the next round of competition that will be held at Tambov, Russia. Best of luck and good fortune to Elina and her students as they move forward in the competitions.   If your students or you have been involved in any competitions, are taking part in any unique projects or have projects or ideas that you would like to share, please contact me at reade@mail.mcvts.net so that I can include that information in an upcoming PIE Newsletter. Please remember that the primary concept of Project Idea Exchange is the sharing and exchange of information. PIE will continue to grow as members continue to share. Be Happy, Well and Safe!! Ernie Read: Director, Project Idea Exchange