Dear Education Partner,
We are so glad that you and your students are joining us for Safer Internet Day 2020! Please take a few minutes to read through the following information about the event including suggestions for preparing for the day.
BACKGROUND ON SAFER INTERNET DAY
Please tell your students about Safer Internet Day, that it began in Europe 14 years ago and is now celebrated in more than 100 countries around the globe – this year, all on February 11th. The event they’re attending is the official U.S. celebration. The agenda is here.
AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION
We hope for active participation from the audience, especially your students. Encourage them to ask questions and make comments at the mic during the program. It will be helpful for them to review speaker and panelist bios prior to the event. (See the agenda.)
STUDENT ACTIVITY: Great Innovations Bring Both Rewards and Risks
Whether it’s the discovery of ancient technologies like fire and the wheel or modern ones like the internet and smartphones with cameras and geolocation, all great innovations come with both rewards and risks.
Students will be asked to examine both historical and current inventions and ask tough questions: We know that there are exciting rewards in using new technologies, but what are the risks and unintended consequences?
Students will also be asked to think of and write down questions or comments for the “Maximizing Impact” panel made up of industry executives, an educator and a student, as well as Philippe Kahn — the inventor of the camera phone.
PHONES
Students are welcome to bring their phones (on silent) as well as tablets and laptops. They can tweet using the hashtag #SID2020 to add their voice to the global Safer Internet Day discussion.
RAFFLE TICKETS/Passport
When you arrive at the event, a ConnectSafely representative will give each of your students raffle tickets and a “passport.” The passport looks like a bingo card with spaces for each Safer Internet Day exhibitor. Please encourage your students to visit and interact with each of our exhibitors, who have prepared short enrichment activities for the students. Your students turn in their raffle tickets to each exhibitor. We’ll explain the process to students when you arrive.
ATTIRE
We know that students and their parents sometimes feel they should dress more formally for important events, but we want all of our guests to feel comfortable. We suggest students and educators dress as if it were a regular school day.
BEHAVIOR
We have arranged speakers and panels to engage the students and will have activities catered to the students. During the program, attendees are asked to remain in their seats out of respect for the speakers and to minimize disruption. We’ll have plenty of breaks and opportunities to walk around along with an interactive activity and a musical break, designed to get the students out of their seats.
TRANSPORTATION
Please arrive at the Computer History Museum between 9:00 a.m. and 9:45 a.m. The formal program starts at 10:00 a.m. The program ends at 2:30 p.m.
FOOD
We know how hungry students get. We will provide morning snacks and lunch, and beverages will be available throughout the day.
MEDIA RELEASES
Please bring signed media releases for all student and adult participants coming from your school. Scanned copies are fine. (Note: Please let Maureen know if any student has refused to sign the media release.)
We at ConnectSafely appreciate all you have done to bring your students to the event and we look forward to meeting you.
Regards,
Kerry Gallagher, ConnectSafely Director of K-12 Education
Maureen Kochan, ConnectSafely COO
Larry Magid, ConnectSafely CEO
Check out some photos from previous Safer Internet Day events:
