Dear Colleagues:

We need your help in recruiting new host sites for Megaconference Jr. 2006!

This year, we're requesting libraries, museums, zoos, science centers,
aquariums, performing arts venues, and any other public cultural/educational
entities to get involved to host students, parents, and the community for
the 3rd Annual Megaconference Jr. 2006 event on May 18th. The Megaconference
Jr. - Stay for the Day! Campaign has two goals: first, to encourage
participation through the full 12 hours of the event and second, to expose
parents and the community at large to the exciting opportunities available
to children around the world through broadband technologies.

In an effort to Bridge the Digital Divide; please help us circulate the
attached flyer to these entities in your areas and support and encourage
them to get involved.

Thank you for helping us spread the word! For this open free registration
announcement for the upcoming Megaconference Jr. 2006 to anyone who may be
interested in your areas. Megaconference Jr. "An Event For and By Students
of the World"; in its third year had over 320 sites connected last year
from all over the world. It was a tremendous success. If you would like to
assist and if you have your facility available perhaps you can invite your
local schools to your facility for being part of this great event. A lot of
schools do not have either the equipment or a suitable internet connection;
your help will be greatly appreciated

FREE general registration for the upcoming Megaconference Jr. 2006 event is
still open.

Please go to: http://www.megaconferencejr.org and click on the "Register"
link. Read the explanation and review the schedule and presentations prior
to completing the registration. You now have the ability to interact live
with one of the presentations. You will be asked to make your selection
towards the end of the registration form. When you have completed all fields
click the "Submit" button. You should receive an email confirmation.

The interactive registrations with presenters are on a first come first
serve basis. Once we have five for each presentation, interactive
registration will be closed. General registration will continue through
April 28, 2006.

Again this year we look forward to your involvement!
--------------------------------------------------------------

1) What is Megaconference Jr.?
Megaconference Jr. is an international project designed to give students in
elementary and secondary schools around the world the opportunity to
communicate, collaborate and contribute to each other's learning in real
time, using advanced multi-point videoconferencing technology. Now in its
third year, Megaconference Jr. brings together students from countries all
around the world for 12 hours of interactive presentations, cafes, and
forums. Megaconference Jr. will take place on May 18, 2006. For more
information go to http://www.megaconferencejr.org/ .

2) WHEN IS IT GOING TO BE?
The event will be on May 18, 2006, and it will run from 7:00 am until 7:00pm
EDT (UTC-4). The 12-hour duration will make it possible for schools from
many time zones to participate during their regular school hours.

2) What do I need to participate?
Connected sites need H.323 videoconferencing capabilities and access to a
national research and education network such as Abilene (Internet2) in the
United States, CA*net 4 in Canada, or Gèant in Europe, GLORIAD in China
Central Asia. Numerous other state and regional networks and GigaPoPs (ie:
OARnet, MAGPI, SURA, SOX, NOX, IHETs, MERIT, CENIC, MAX, NYSERNet) are
available. If you are not surewhether you are connected to such a network,
you can download the Internet2 Detective (http://detective.internet2.edu/),
ask your local network person, or contact us at (megajr@sccresa.org).

3) Do I have to be on Internet2 to participate?
Sites are strongly encouraged to connect over Internet2 or other high speed
networks for the best quality videoconference experience.

4) Do I have to go to a university to participate?
No. You can participate through a local university or other organization,
but you can also participate from your own office or classroom if your
Internet connection is sufficient. We can work with you to determine if your
connection will work.

5) How much bandwidth do I need to participate?
The preferred connection speed for the event is 384 kbps. If you do not have
access to Internet2, your local university may have a site you can use. We
can work with you to arrange a site if needed. Cable modem service usually
works.

6) Why isn't the commercial Internet good for Megaconference Jr.?
The commercial Internet (i.e. Yahoo, AOL, Netscape), is generally too slow
and too unstable to support the high-quality interactive video and audio
that takes place during Megaconference events. And ISDN videoconferencing is
too expensive for multi-site international interactive videoconferencing
events. However, if you have a high bandwidth Internet connection, we can
work with you so that you can participate in Megaconference Jr.

7) How can so many sites be connected simultaneously around the world?
The Internet2 Commons (jointly operated by The Ohio State University and the
Ohio Supercomputer Center), makes this possible by connecting sites through
its remote collaboration service. You can learn more about the Internet2
Commons at http://commons.internet2.edu/.

8) What kinds of presentations/activities will my students see?
Presenters design and conduct videoconference-based presentations and
activities focused on academic, cultural, scientific, social and a host of
other issues. Participants will be able to ask questions of presenters and
to collaborate with geographically diverse peers in collaborative learning
activities, thus building international cultural awareness. Examples of
previous presentations include: "Being Australian"; "Hurricane Houses";
"Hatching Chicks and Birds of Prey"; "Commonality, Connection, and
Conversation Across the Continents"; "Bums on Drums"; "Flamenco Dancing and
Walking Around Barcelona"; "Open Forum on Bullying"; "Reenactment of the
Oklahoma Land Run"; "Robotics"; "Native American Comanche Tribal Dancing";
and an interactive quiz game between students in Taiwan, Ohio and Australia.

9) How much does it cost to participate?
Participation is free and open to everyone. The Megaconference Jr. event is
a volunteer effort made possible through the dedication of students,
teachers and technologists around the world. We only ask for your active
engagement in helping to make Megaconference Jr. a fantastic event for all!

10) How can we participate in other Internet2 videoconferencing events?
People enjoy Megaconference Jr. so much that they often want to participate
in similar events. In addition to Megaconference Jr., there is also the
annual Megaconference event, on which Megaconference Jr. was modeled. The
Megaconference, now in its 8th year, is open to K-12 schools as well.
Megaconference Jr. was designed to help foster collaborations among schools
worldwide, so we encourage you to start your own Megaconference-type events
locally. Many have already been created including state-wide
mini-Megaconference Jrs. such as "Texas Connects: A Statewide
Videoconference for Texas Elementary Students" and a "Holiday Megaconference
Jr." event. For more information go to
http://digitalunion.osu.edu/megaconference/index.html.

11) Do I need to register if I connect through a local organization?
Yes, or else you will not be listed as a participant, and you will not be
called in the roll call, or be eligible for door prizes.

12) Do I have to be there for the whole 12 hours of the event?
No, most people do not participate for the entire 12 hours. Please see the
Megaconference Jr. home page for important dates and deadlines,
www.megaconferencejr.org .

NOTE: Please forward this message to anyone you feel would be interested.

Kind Regards
_____________________
Arif Khan
Global Internet2 H.323 Services NOC
OARnet - A Division of Ohio Supercomputer Center
800-627-6420 or 614-292-9191
614-292-9087
akhan@oar.net
Ohio Supercomputer Center http://www.osc.edu
OARnet http://www.oar.net
Third Frontier Network http://www.osc.edu/oarnet/tfn/
Internet2 Commons http://commons.internet2.edu

Some Useful Videoconferencing Resources:

Videoconferencing Cook Book and check the section on H.323.
http://www.videnet.gatech.edu/cookbook.en/

http://www.videnet.gatech.edu/cookbook.en/list_page.php?topic=3&url=H323_hardware.htm&level=1&sequence=1&name=H.323

The other very important suggestion is setting up your local LAN (Network)
for videoconferencing. Please refer this URL.
http://www.osc.edu/oarnet/videocon/hero.shtml