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Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs
CITIZEN EXCHANGES –
YOUTH PROGRAMS DIVISION
Home > Citzen Exchanges > Youth Programs Division > Youth Programs News
U.S. High School Students Showcase Turkmenistan Projects at Student Capitol Day
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Hatboro-Horsham students and their teacher James Shields |
On May 12, 2008, Global Connections and Exchange (GCE) partner Hatboro-Horsham High School, located outside Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, presented their GCE collaborative project at Student Capitol Day in Harrisburg, PA. More than 200 students from 32 school districts presented approximately 50 technology-related projects at this event, which was organized to showcase the success of the Classrooms for the Future (CFF) program.
The two Hatboro-Horsham students who were chosen to travel to Turkmenistan this summer through the GCE program presented their school’s projects “How I See the World” and “Current Events” to the governor, legislators, and members of the Pennsylvania Department of Education to demonstrate this effective use of technology that supports student achievement and promotes cross-cultural communication. Together with their teachers, students prepared a booth where they displayed collages, pictures, and quotes from the project. Additionally, they created a brochureto be distributed at the event with information about Turkmenistan and sample questions that were asked during the forum. The students also displayed Turkmenistan’s flag, map, and cultural symbols and explained what they learned about the country and their new friends to Capitol Day attendees.
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Students display pictures, quotes, and questions from the forum entitled “How I See the World” |
Communication between Hatboro-Horsham High School and Turkmenistan began in February 2008, when approximately 90 students from the U.S. and Turkmenistan gathered together on an online forum, and prepared introductions and 20 questions for participants from the other country. The U.S. students asked about traditional eating customs, students’ typical days, the role of religion in students’ lives, and how technology influences them. The Turkmen students eagerly replied to the American students’ questions and asked their counterparts about their favorite types of music and movies, popular school events, Americans’ values, their opinions about the current U.S. president and foreign policy, and their expectations for the forum. Through the online forum, students from Turkmenistan and the U.S. related to one another on a personal level, challenged stereotypes of teenagers, and discussed how teens can have a positive impact on their communities.
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