PBS, IBM and CBS Launch Major Educational Technology Project

Posted on February 5, 1998

PBS, IBM and CBS today launched the U.S. Olympic PBS Cyber School Powered by IBM, an innovative, cross-curricular Web site providing educational benefits to students in grades 4-8 by combining state-of-the-art technology and the excitement of the Olympic Winter Games about to begin in Nagano, Japan.

Designed by PBS, the Cyber School harnesses the excitement of world-class Olympic competition in figure skating, downhill skiing and snowboarding to teach students important science, math and social studies concepts. It also provides them with an understanding of how these concepts are applied in everyday life.

A typical challenge, such as "Newton Rides the Snowboard," will help students gain a better understanding of how the laws of physics can help athletes improve their Olympic performance through increased speed or refined take-offs and landings.

Designed to guide students through a hands-on learning adventure, each challenge asks students to put their skills to work and to use technology and other on- and off-line resources to help get to the "finish line." PBS will award a randomly-selected group of schools successfully completing the Cyber School challenges cash prizes totaling more than $10,000.

Each PBS Cyber School challenge addresses rigorous national education standards and is linked to a comprehensive lesson plan. The challenges are organized into beginner, intermediate and advanced categories to give teachers the flexibility they need to ensure that students with all skill levels have an equal opportunity to benefit from the site. The Cyber School is highly interactive, enabling students from around the world to collaborate in responding to challenges and providing teachers with unprecedented access to their peers through an online "teacher talk" area.

Members of SeniorNet, an online community of more than 18,000 people 55 years and older, will evaluate user input to the Cyber School Web site, including responses to challenges and contributions to discussion areas.