Third-graders highlighted

their community

on the Internet.

LEWISTON – Third-graders at Martel School showcased Lewiston in the world’s largest international cyber competition on their Web site, “Community Friends and Helpers,” at www.lewiston.k12.me.us/~dletourneau/community/intro.htm.

The site was awarded honorable mention at the gold level in the category of Local Businesses by CyberFair 2003.

The fair theme was “Educate and Unite!” and it aligned with “Friendship Through Education,” a White House initiate. Students used the Web to publish stories about how people or programs in their local communities use education to help make the world better, friendlier or safer.

Darlene Letourneau’s class highlighted Advocates for Children, Bates College, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Boy Scouts, DARE, FISC, Geiger, Girl Scouts, Home Depot, Junior Achievement, Knights of Columbus, Lewiston Police Department, Lewiston Public Library, Meals on Wheels, Sears, State Sen. Peggy Rotundo, Shaw’s Supermarket, the Sun Journal and the Tim Mynahan Foundation.

The International Schools CyberFair, now in its eighth year, is an award-winning, authentic learning program used by schools around the world.

Recognition is given to schools for the best projects in each of eight categories: local leaders, businesses, community organizations, historical landmarks, environment, music, art and local specialties.

Judging also takes place online. Students evaluate the projects of other schools by using a Web-based assessment tool designed by Global SchoolNet.

Top entries were reviewed by a panel of international judges from countries such as Israel, Australia, Germany and the USA and included People to People CEO Mary Jean Eisenhower, granddaughter of former President Dwight Eisenhower.

The White House-endorsed competition encourages students to become ambassadors for their own communities by working collaboratively with community members and using technology tools to publish a Web site that displays what they have learned. For more information about CyberFair visit www.globalschoolhouse.org/cf.

This year 260 schools worldwide, representing 300,000 students from six continents, participated. Martel students received honorable mention for their site, which was among the top 90 entered under the Local Business category.