Global Kids Island Newsletter - November 2008

[Rafi Santo]

Hi Everyone,

I've included below the Global Kids Island monthly newsletter, which we distribute in-world on the teen grid.  Hopefully this can give people a sense of things that are happening in that space, and make sure that what happens in the teen grid doesn't just stay in the teen grid.

I've highlight in RED anything that's particularly relevant to parents, educators or residents of the main grid.

Also, if you're an educator or parent that would like to get your teen students involved in GK programs on the teen grid, or have college age students we can work with in our main grid Second Life projects, feel free to mail me off-list. 

best,

Rafi

=== Global Kids Newsletter ===

November, 2008

    Welcome to the monthly Global Kids newsletter!  This is your chance to find out what's happening on the GK Islands and ways you can get involved!  Take a copy, and pass along to your friends. (IM Bhikku Beeks if you have any questions).

This month, learn about:
   

+++++UPCOMING EVENTS+++++

++Real World Impacts from the Virtual World++

***Main Grid Event!***
On Monday November 17, Global Kids invites you to "Real World Impact From the Virtual World" in Second Life. The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, the USC Network Culture Project and Global Kids invite you to a sneak preview of a new Second Life sim that features MacArthur programs and grantees. The event will be held on November 17, 2008 from 1-5pm PST.

Join us to learn about how groups use virtual spaces like Second Life to build real opportunities and make a difference -- preserving native peoples' cultures, creating accessible spaces for people with disabilities, helping obese people make healthy life choices and teaching underprivileged youth about paleontology and science.

This interactive series of events will take place on Foundations Sim (http://tinyurl.com/FoundationsSLURL) and the neighboring archipelago that includes the Network Culture Project, Justice Commons (http://tinyurl.com/jcSLURL) and Aloft Nonprofit Commons (http://tinyurl.com/aloftSLURL).

See the full schedule on the blog:
http://www.holymeatballs.org/2008/11/realworldimpact.html

___________________________________________________________________________________

++DROPPING KNOWLEDGE: How Virtual World Educators Change Lives++

***Main Grid Event!***

On November 17 from 3-5 pm PST, RezEd will be sponsoring a mini-conference in the virtual world of Second Life. We will feature a panel discussion with leading practitioners and researchers studying virtual worlds and learning, including :

* Lori Bell, Alliance Library System / Info Island
* Ryan Clemmens, Arizona State
* Patty Purcell, Bel Aire Elementary School
* Barry Joseph, Global Kids (moderator)

We will also host a "birds of a feather" breakout session and a social mixer.

The event will take place from 3-5pm PST on The Justice Commons sim in Second Life:
http://tinyurl.com/jcSLURL

RSVP on RezEd!
http://tinyurl.com/DroppingKnowledge

___________________________________________________________________________________

++ November Fireside Workshops! ++

Look for new firesides coming your way during the month of November!  One event in the works by Program Intern Victoria Hanfoi will be about global health issues.

 Do you want to see a particular issue addressed during a fireside this month?  If so, IM Rafi Gkid with your idea!

___________________________________________________________________________________

++Last call for starting a D.I.D.I. Venture!++

Calling all TSL and SL residents! There's still time for YOUR D.I.D.I. Venture!  Have you thought about finding out more? NOW is the time! Between now and the end of November send an IM to Meghan GKid (TSL) or Coreina Grace (SL) to find out how you can become a changemaker!  D.I.D.I. Teams can receive up to $1000 AND our support to help start a new sustainable social venture, either inside or outside of TSL.

++++RECENT EVENTS++++

++Teen Grid Holds First Ever Mock Election!++

On election day here in the states, with the help of many current and past GK Interns, the teen grid held the first ever mock presidential election while those over 18 went to the polls in the non-virtual world.  Big shout outs to Ryan Dayton and Victoria Hanfoi for making this happen.

See who won on the blog!

http://www.holymeatballs.org/2008/11/tslleadership_the_teen_grid_vo.html

___________________________________________________________________________________

++Marathon Election Day Debate & Open Forum++

Two of our newest GK Interns held a great event on election day to coincide with our mock election by hold a open forum & debate on GK Island for a whopping 5 hours!  Congrats to Nate Kongo and Lee Soothsayer for holding this incredible event.

Read Nate's write up event on the blog:

http://www.holymeatballs.org/2008/11/tslleadershipteen_election_day.html

___________________________________________________________________________________

++ Fireside Workshop: Know Your Rights!++

At a recent fireside in TSL we explored the world of rights, getting into the nitty gritty of what human rights and civil rights are about, how they differ, what they offer, and why they're critical to the functioning of a just society.

Read about the event on the blog, with a bonus video:
http://www.holymeatballs.org/2008/11/tslleadership_fireside_worksho_7.html

++++ANNOUNCEMENTS++++

Check out the start of the school year staff from reflections from the GK online team at Holymeatballs.org!

http://www.holymeatballs.org/2008/11/staff_olp_staff_reflections_oc.html

___________________________________________________________________________________

To keep up-to-date on Global Kids, join our group "Global Kids Allies" for free. You can also learn more at our blog, http://www.holymeatballs.org, subscribe to our Twitter feed at www.Twitter.com/Holymeatballs, or IM Bhikku Beeks.