Global Kids Island Newsletter - June 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, feel free to mail me off-list. 

best,

Rafi

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Rafi Santo
Virtual Community Manager
Online Leadership Program
Global Kids

http://www.globalkids.org/?id=5
http://olp.globalkids.org

Sign-up for the Global Kids' Virtual Worlds Update Newsletter:

http://groups.google.com/group/GKVirtualWorldUpdate

=== Global Kids Newsletter ===

June, 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 on the main grid if you have any questions).

   

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

++ Torch Relay for Darfur! ++

Be a part of the action in Torch Relay for Darfur on Friday, June 13 @ 4pm PDT!  Join Global Kids' Deconstructing Darfur in an Olympic Torch Relay across the teen grid to raise money and awareness on the genocide in Darfur. The torch relay will start above the GK Fireside.

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++D.I.D.I. Summer Camp Applications Now Open!++

**If you know of any teens interested in tech and the public good, definitely encourage them to apply!**

Like last summer's CRC Machinima Camp, and the previous summer's Camp Global Kids, this  summer we will be holding D.I.D.I. Summer Camp. (We love camps here at GK!) D.I.D.I. Summer Camp  is an intensive program where TSL residents meet regularly for 4 weeks  to make teams and receive support for up to $1000 USD to launch  ventures that benefit their RL or SL communities.

Learn more about the camp and how to apply here.

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++ June Fireside Workshops! ++

Look for new firesides coming your way during the month of June!  We have one topic set already, about the language of violence, to take place on Thursday June 12 at 1 pm PDT, but if you want to see a particular issue addressed during a fireside this month, IM Rafi Gkid with your idea!

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++++RECENT EVENTS++++

++Creativity for a Cause Contest Winners Announced!++
 

On Saturday, May 17, we announced the winners of the Creativity for a Cause Contest, which was launched last month. All entries can be viewed in world in TSL on DIDI Island. 

You can also see the entries online at our blog (for those without access to TSL).
         
First Place: "The Dolphin Didn't Know" by Reba Ratner
Second place: Sokrati Switchblade and his Solar Car
Third place: "Kid Equality" by Flexis Hawk

Congratulations and thanks to all contestants!
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++Fireside Workshop: Ecological Footprints++

We had a great fireside that explored the impact that our own consumption patterns have on the health of the planet.  Residents had a chance to share some of their own trash, and then calculated what their own eco-footprint is.

Check out the write up from the event here:
http://tinyurl.com/58hwrb

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++Fireside Workshop: Smoke & Mirrors++

A fascinating workshop on the topic of alcohol and tobacco marketing efforts.  During the workshop, we had the opportunity to brainstorm about what teen residents saw as reasons that teens drink and smoke, and looked at a selection of magazine advertisements that targeted specific groups.

Check out the blog post here:
http://tinyurl.com/62wmax

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++++ANNOUNCEMENTS++++

++ NPR's Science Friday now on Eye4You Every Week!++

Eye4You Alliance and NASA Learning Technologies are hosting NPR's Science Friday broadcast program at the Eye4You Space Station.  Science Friday is a weekly science talk show broadcast live over public radio stations nationwide.  Each week the focus is on science topics that are in the news.  Teens are invited to join in at the Eye4You Space Station on Fridays from 11am - 1:00pm SLT.  Come listen, discuss, build and ask your questions live on the air!

<insert landmark here>
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++GK Staffer Rik Helping Select Winners of "Public Good in SL" Competition++
In April, Rik Panganiban was asked to serve on the high-level selection panel for USC's "Public Good Community Challenge" alongside Howard Rheinhold, Craig Wacker, Randy Moss and Lori Bell.  The Community Challenge is an open invitation to Second Life main grid users to submit their proposals for some project that benefits the public good. The panelists will select three projects to receive L$300,000 to develop their project over a three month period, as well as technical and organizational support. 

For more info, see the USC Network Culture Project website at http://networkculture.usc.edu.

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+Announcing DIDI Venture Park!++

In connection with the D.I.D.I. Initiative, we have opened a new space where DIDI Venturers can apply to have us host their Venture project.  The space is organized as a neighborhood, in a style similar to The DIDI Initiative Island. Pathways separate each parcel, and there are several hangout and meeting locations in public space. The parcels are not full yet, but we anticipate a strong community of DIDI Ventures!

To learn more about D.I.D.I. and D.I.D.I. Land grants for Venture Park contact Meghan GKid in TSL or go to:
http://globalkids.org/?id=69

See pictures of the new Venture Park sim here:
http://tinyurl.com/3tg7wd

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To keep up-to-date on Global Kids, join our group "Global Kids Allies". You can also learn more at our blog, http://www.holymeatballs.org, subscribe to our Twitter feed at www.Twitter.com/Holymeatballs, and view our calendar of events here, http://tinyurl.com/3czcjn or IM Bhikku Beeks on the main grid.