Kiwi kids quizzed on US knowledge

Senator Fulbright's vision of international education was highlighted when a group of school children from New Zealand and the US took part in a DVC (digital video conference) quiz at the US Embassy in Wellington recently.

New Zealand Quiz Team from Chilton St James School, Lower Hutt, New Zealand

The quiz, organised by Fulbright New Zealand, was part of International Education Week.

An initiative of the US Department of State and the US Department of Education, the aim of International Education Week is to promote programmes that prepare Americans for a global environment and attract future leaders from abroad to study, learn and exchange experiences in the US.

The two teams, of 12 to 13 year olds, from Chilton St James School in Lower Hutt in New Zealand and Plaza Middle School, Virginia Beach in the US, were quizzed on each other countries.

It was also an opportunity to get together to discuss each others cultures and find mutual interests.

Sherry Joiner, the teacher from the 7th grade class at Plaza Middle School, said the DVC was an exciting opportunity for her class who had recently been learning about New Zealand.

Sherry, a teacher of history and English, was a participant in this year's Fulbright-Hays Seminars Abroad Programme to New Zealand which provides short-term study and travel seminars for US social science and humanities teachers. The programme aims to improve educators understanding and knowledge of the people and cultures of another country.

"I gained some great ideas from the trip, which I have incorporated into my teaching including what I learned about New Zealand, Maori people, and New Zealand Schools. The trip was extremely valuable and gave me the opportunity to ‘think outside the box' about other ways of teaching and learning."

Sarah Matheson, a social studies teacher from Chilton St James said it was a fantastic opportunity for her students to learn about America.

"They learnt so much and found the whole experience fascinating. We now intend to keep in regular contact with the Plaza Middle School by email."

Wilbert Bryant, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Higher Education Programmes in the Office of Post Secondary Education at the US Department of Education said that the event contributed to the strengthening of cultural and educational linkages between New Zealand and the US.

"The multiplier effect of inter-cultural activities like Fulbright-Hays is significant. This event is an excellent example of teachers sharing their international experiences with their students and the community at large.

"US Secretary of Education Rod Paige recently said that to be effective in the fight against terrorism we must equip our citizens with excellent international education skills. To accomplish this we must do a better job of exposing our students to other languages, cultures and challenges outside their own country."