Challenge 20/20 is an internet-based program that pairs classes at any grade level (K-12) from schools in the U.S. with their counterpart classes in schools in other countries. Once the schools have been assigned to teams of two or three schools they find solutions for 20 global problems. This program provides students with a chance to meet new and interesting people and learn about different cultures.

This is RMA’s second year participating in Challenge 20/20. Last year Mrs. Viverette’s 8th grade class was teamed with a school from Kenya. The class had technical difficulties with the school and was never able to connect with them. Even though they were unable to connect with their assigned school, Mrs. Viverette’s class was unofficially paired with another school from Kenya that they corresponded with frequently.

This year the 8th grade class was paired with a private school in Lebanon. The 8th graders will be corresponding with Lebanese 8th graders and working on their project assigned by NAIS. The National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) is a nonprofit membership association that provides services to more than 1,700 schools and associations of schools in the United States and abroad, including 1,400 independent private K-12 schools in the U.S. When asked, the middle school social studies teacher in charge of the program, Mrs. Viverette said, “As educators, I think it is important to teach our students about global issues and to challenge them to work collaboratively in order to find solutions.”

This year’s project is “Digital Divide”. The 8th graders will collaborate to figure out how modern technology can connect people across the world. The class will email, and hopefully be able to skype throughout the year.