Move beyond the boundaries of your classroom walls with a program that celebrates the multicultural richness of students across North America. The Connections program offers a range of cross-cultural activities for sixth-grade teachers and students from the United States and Canada designed to foster respect and appreciation for similarities and differences.

Teachers and students from the participating classrooms collaborate on curriculum-based projects with the goal of encouraging mutual respect and understanding among students in North America. The SMARTer Kids Foundation of Canada equips participating schools with education technology for easy, effective collaboration and provides teacher professional development. The program culminates in the spring when teachers and select students visit Calgary, Alberta, Canada, for a week of friendship, adventure and learning.

Once a school is accepted, the program runs as follows:

	Selected sixth-grade teachers come to Calgary in July for professional development
	Upon returning to the school, the teachers and their students engage in collaborative learning projects with other participating schools throughout the school year
	A select number of sixth-grade students and their teachers participate in the Calgary student visit at the end of the school year

Donated product
The SMARTer Kids Foundation will donate the following products to schools selected to participate in the Connections program. All donated products remain with the school at the completion of the program:

	SMART Board 600i interactive whiteboard system
	One-year subscription to the SMART Learning Marketplace
	SMART Ideas concept-mapping software
	AirLiner wireless slate
	Two-year subscription to Bridgit conferencing software

Participation agreement
Successful applicants are expected to participate fully in the program's activities. Commitment on the part of the teachers and administrators is critical to the success of the program. School administrators are required to sign a participation agreement, which clearly states the Foundation's responsibilities and the participating school's commitments and obligations.

Costs
Costs covered by the SMARTer Kids Foundation include airfare, accommodation, meals, local transportation and admission to Connections-sponsored activities during the teacher training and the Calgary student visit. Souvenirs, personal photography, personal transportation, meals and snacks not arranged by the Foundation, alcoholic beverages, product installation and substitute teaching costs are not covered by the Foundation.

Questions?
Contact the Connections program manager at info@smarterkids.org or 403.451.2131.