April 21, 2008

ELK GROVE -- Elitha Donner Elementary School has made it to the semi-final round of Quantum Shift TV’s “Be the Change! Share the Story!” contest, along with dozens of schools across Canada and United States.

To qualify as semifinalists, these students have had to make a significant difference on an environmental or social cause in their community. The winning school has an opportunity to receive up to $50,000 in prizes, including an eco-friendly skateboard park. The winning schools will be announced on June 1, 2008.

“Overall, I have seen my students become more caring as we focus on the Second Step lessons,” said Chris Perris, who is leading Elitha Donner Elementary School’s team in the Be the Change contest.

The Second Step program is an anti-bullying program that teaches social and emotional skills for violence prevention. It teaches students about empathy, impulse control, problem solving, and anger management. Through the use of video the Second Step program is enhanced as students create, write, videotape, and edit their own scenarios and experiences in digital format. These videos are then used by the classroom teacher, administration, and staff to reinforce learned skills.
The progress of this and other projects participating in the Be the Change contest is documented in two short videos uploaded on the web at www.QuantumShift.tv/schools. The school’s videos can be seen on their team page at http://www.quantumshift.tv/schools/team.php?id=129.  You can improve the school’s chance of winning by visiting the contest site and registering as a supporter of their team.

The success of the Second Step program at Elitha Donner Elementary School involved a whole-school approach using multiple media.

“Our students’ engagement in the program has increased through video production,” added Mr. Perris. “Their level of motivation to apply the skills they are learning was evident as students viewed themselves and peers on screen bringing the program to life.”

Winners of the Be the Change! Share the Story! contest will be chosen based on community involvement, project execution, video quality, student involvement and learning, and overall social and environmental impact. After a panel of celebrity judges picks the final three teams the public will vote for the winner.

The judges include bestselling author and environmentalist Paul Hawken, actress Daryl Hannah, skateboarder Bob Burnquist, executive-with-a-cause John Wood, Bioneers founder Kenny Ausubel and Nigerian women’s rights activist Hafsat Abiola, plus two dozen other leaders in business, sports and the arts.

To provide project ideas and resources for both students and teachers, Quantum Shift TV has partnered with key organizations like UNICEF, Free the Children, Room to Read, TransFair, NAAEE, TakingITGlobal, The Pembina Institute, New Global Citizens, Sierra Youth Coalition, Rainforest Action Network, Care and Oxfam.     

Quantum Shift TV is a 21st Century storyteller renewing the cultural values of community, care and interconnectedness through the use of leading edge technology and citizen journalism.

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