🌐︎ Global Educator Exchange:
Global Externs
Skyrocket Education and Global Spirit will unite K-12 students worldwide to collaborate on meaningful, cross-cultural projects. The program is designed to foster global citizenship, cultural understanding, and collaborative problem-solving while enhancing academic learning. By connecting classrooms across continents, students engage in real-world projects that address global issues such as environmental sustainability, cultural preservation, and technological innovation.
The program leverages digital tools to facilitate collaboration, ensuring that our Global Externs can work seamlessly regardless of location. Students develop 21st-century skills, including critical thinking, communication, and empathy, by working with peers from diverse backgrounds. Our Program will include opportunities for students to travel and collaborate with their peers across the globe—virtually and in person.
Global Classroom Goals
- Promote cross-cultural awareness and understanding.
- Enhance student collaboration and communication skills across borders.
- Provide real-world learning opportunities through interdisciplinary projects.
- Develop global perspectives on shared challenges and solutions.
Global Project Themes 2025
Climate Change & Environmental Action:
Developing global solutions to address local environmental issues and sharing strategies.
Global Health & Wellness:
Promoting health practices and raising awareness about mental and physical wellness.
Cross-Cultural Educator Teams
Students are divided into teams or matched with individuals from different countries based on interest. Teams work together over a semester or school year, guided by teachers and mentors.
Professional Learning Framework
The program follows a project-based learning (PBL) approach with the following stages:
- Introduction: Students meet through video conferencing and virtual platforms.
- Research: Teams collaborate to understand their topic in local and global contexts.
- Design & Implementation: Students co-create solutions, presentations, or artifacts.
- Reflection & Sharing: Teams present their findings to a global audience by showcasing their work virtually or in an on-site symposium.
Enhanced Global Connection Activities
1. Virtual Cultural Show-and-Tell
Students share presentations, artifacts, or short videos showcasing aspects of their culture (e.g., food, clothing, holidays, traditions).
Objective: Build cultural appreciation and personal connections.
2. Collaborative Art or Storytelling Projects
Students create a shared art project (e.g., digital mural or art gallery) or collaborate on writing a story where each country contributes a chapter.
Objective: Explore creativity while integrating diverse cultural perspectives.
3. Global Pen Pals (Digital Edition)
Students exchange written letters or video messages regularly to share experiences and interests and learn about each other’s daily lives.
Objective: Improve communication and build global friendships.
4. Global Debate or Discussion Circles
Students engage in engineering or science-based challenges (e.g., designing a model windmill and creating a water filtration system) and share results.
Objective: Develop critical thinking, communication, and empathy for differing perspectives.
5. Joint STEM Challenges
Teachers participate in facilitated conversations on topics like curriculum design, technology use, or culturally responsive teaching.
Objective: Collaborate on problem-solving and hands-on learning.
6. Local Problem, Global Solution
Students identify problems in their local communities (e.g., pollution or access to clean water) and brainstorm solutions with their international peers.
Objective: Learn how to address shared global challenges at a local level.
7. Language and Culture Exchange
Students teach each other basic phrases in their native languages or share cultural practices like songs, dances, or games.
Objective: Promote language skills and cultural exchange.
8. Virtual Science and Environment Fair
Students from different schools present science experiments, environmental projects, or research related to a shared theme.
Objective: Enhance STEM skills while learning about global environmental perspectives.
9. Global Book Club
Students read the same book or short story (with translations as needed) and discuss themes, characters, and lessons via video conferencing.
Objective: Promote literacy and explore cultural interpretations of literature.
10. International Field Trips (Virtual/In-Person)
Students use video tools to provide virtual or in-person tours of their schools, neighborhoods, or significant cultural or historical landmarks.
Objective:Learn about global geography, history, and culture.
Program Outcomes
✓ Students develop greater cultural awareness, empathy, and appreciation for diversity.
✓ Participants gain experience in collaborative teamwork across borders.
✓ Educators foster greater cultural awareness and empathy, enriching their ability to teach diverse students.
✓ Students develop academic and real-world skills through interdisciplinary learning.
✓ Schools and communities are strengthened through global partnerships and shared learning.
