Students in U.S. and Algeria To Meet on Video

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEWS MEDIA CONTACT:
Patrice Samara, 202-337-7887

WASHINGTON, DC

April 19, 2005

On April 21, 2005 students at PS 56Q The Harry Eichler School in New York City will join fellow students in Algiers, Algeria, in a groundbreaking videoconference utilizing the NASA’s Digital Learning Network Curriculum. On that day they will share ideas, cultures and develop new friendships through the common interest of space. The topic will be, “A Place in Space Expedition: Space Food” a conversation about human dietary requirements when in outer space.

Space exploration has been a joint effort of many countries and one that crosses all geographic, political and cultural boundaries. During the conference, students will discuss the important global issues of sharing outer space among nations to find the best uses for all mankind. After the conference, students will continue their new friendships through e-mail groups.

The event will be hosted by Unison a leading international strategic communications agency headquartered in Washington, DC, and the Algerian Press Service, Algeria’s news agency. Patrice Samara, Unison's Director of Communications will facilitate the videoconference between the two schools.

"Algeria has fully committed to the youth of Algeria directing them down the path of education and training with an emphasis on the sciences and cutting edge technologies," stated Nacer Mehal, President of the Algerian Press Service. "This Video Conference is the first step in building bridges that bring American and Algerian youth together to share our common educational goals through space science. I wish to convey my deepest gratitude to all of our American partners who made this project a reality, and hope to see more international cooperation in the future."

“Unison and APS share a deep commitment to international peace and friendship and we seek to promote global youth outreach through Science education,” commented Robert F. Fardi, President and Co-Founder of Unison. “We truly believe in the power of communications and technology to bring cultures together. And, what better place to start than with our children?"

Supporting Organizations:
Global Friendship Through Space Education (GFTSE)
Global Friendship is a California-based non-profit organization dedicated to promoting friendship through the experience of hands-on space education in a camp environment - gftse.org.

ThinkQuest New York City
ThinkQuest New York City creatively brings together learning and technology for students and educators - tqnyc.org.

Algerian Press Service (APS)
Algeria's News Agency was founded in1961. Overseas, the agency is represented in 12 capitals: Washington DC, Moscow, Paris, London, Brussels, Rome, Madrid, Cairo, Rabat and Tunis - aps.dz.

Ignition DC
Post-event video streaming courtesy of Ignition DC. Ignition DC specializes in digitizing video for use on the web - ignitiondc.com.

Unison
Unison designs world-class, traditional and interactive communications that deliver key marketing, brand, advertising and public relations messages in a distinctive manner. Unison's work focuses on message creativity and consistency across all media, improving communication effectiveness in a way that shows demonstrable return on investment - unisonagency.com.

Curriculum Courtesy of:

NASA's Digital Learning Network
NASA's Digital Learning Network fosters the effective use of interactive instructional technologies for the benefit of its students and educators through face-to-face and distance learning events.