Educational Programs - Skype Exchanges

There are many different program areas for Lexington Sister Cities: youth, education, arts & culture, business, municipal... you name it, we've done it.  From ballet groups to arborists, we've helped so many people participate in exchange programs to benefit themselves, their work, and the work of the people in our Sister Cities as well.  We do have several annual programs that help to benefit our students, from elementary school all the way to graduate students.  These programs can impact them from simply Skyping with students their same age in another country, to getting work experience that will help their resumes for future job opportunities.  

To get you started, let's talk about our amazing Skype programs.  

Technology is truly an amazing thing.  Before, communicating internationally was difficult and expensive; now, through social media and the internet, people are able not just to communicate with friends and family in other countries, but to regularly get to speak with them or see them through programs as great as Skype.  

SCAPA-Ecole Fracasse (Deauville)

We have several Skype programs set up with different schools.  The longest running Skype program is between 4th and 5th graders at SCAPA in Lexington and Ecole Fracasse in Deauville.  During this Skype exchange, students introduce themselves in French and English and ask each other questions.  They are interested in learning how students from abroad are different and the same from them.  Some questions might be "what kind of music do you like?" and "how long do you get for lunch?" (this question also receives a great response, as students in Lexington get about 20 minutes for lunch and students in France have a 2 hour lunch!).  

Students at SCAPA introduce themselves through Skype to students in Deauville.  

Students also share PowerPoint presentations with each other detailing "A Day in the Life of a French/American Student", where they learn what time they start school, what classes they take, what activities they do after school, what they eat for dinner and what time they go to bed.  

In 2015, the two French teachers decided to expand even more on this great learning opportunity.  They created "challenges" for each class.  For example, the Lexington students challenged the French students to research a Kentucky Derby winner and to learn facts about the Bluegrass Region.  The French students challenged the American students to learn the French alphabet and make a "living" French Flag.  

Cassidy Elementary-Holy Child School (County Kildare)

In December 2015, a second grade class at Cassidy Elementary in Lexington had it's first Skype session with a second year class at Holy Child School in Naas, County Kildare.  Their exchange provided the opportunity to exchange differences in culture.  The classes made presentations about what they have learned about different Holidays and how they are celebrated.  The students then had a chance to ask each other questions about how they celebrate the holidays in Ireland and in Kentucky.  

Christ the King Middle School-Maynooth Post Primary School (County Kildare)

Another great Skype to promote a well-rounded cultural learning took place between Christ the King 6th graders in Lexington and 6th class students at Maynooth Post Primary School in County Kildare.  The Skype lasts nearly 3 hours (!!) as students exchanges presentations they had prepared about states and countries.  The American students presented information about the different states in the United States.  County Kildare students showed PowerPoints on different countries in Europe.  

The teacher from this class in Lexington will be chaperoning our student exchange to County Kildare this summer, giving him an opportunity to finally meet in person the teacher he has conducted Skype sessions with for several years now!

Locust Trace AgriScience School-Shizunai Agriculture School (Shinhidaka)
Since there is a 13 hour time difference between Lexington and Shinhidaka, it's not possible for an in-school Skype session to take place.  When our students in Lexington arrive for school around 8:30am, it's already 9:30 PM in Shinhidaka! 

This won't deter us from having great programs between our schools in Lexington and Shinhidaka.  When Locust Trace AgriScience School opened in Lexington 4 years ago, we knew it was a great opportunity to find ways to connect them with the agriculture school in Shinhidaka.  The two schools have come up with a great idea to share videos of lab classes in their individual schools.  This way, they are learning different techniques or subjects not taught at their school.  For example, Shizunai Agriculture School does not have a veterinary sciences program, so Locust Trace plans to share a lab class with them as the first piece of the exchange.  

Lexington Sister Cities is always looking for new opportunities to connect schools in Lexington with schools in our Sister Cities.  If you are a teacher interested in participating in this great experience for your students, give us a call!