Friday, January 21, 2005
Mexican connection
Northbridge students take virtual trip south
By Linda Bock Telegram & Gazette Staff

Peter J. Ritter, Northbridge High School’s instructional technology specialist, adjusts a laptop computer used yesterday in a videoconference with students at the Ocean Camp Academy in Mexico. (T&G Staff Photos/PAUL KAPTEYN) 

NORTHBRIDGE— Who knew the Boston Red Sox would be the common denominator when a small group of Northbridge High School students traveled to San Carlos, Mexico, yesterday, to get to know a small group of Ocean Camp Academy students?

Northbridge High School computer teacher Barbara Columbus, left, and senior Alicia Molt watch the screen projection of the videoconferencing session.

The students “traveled” 2,300 miles via special software and high-tech videoconferencing equipment, without leaving the high school’s first-floor conference room, and spent about an hour getting to know students who live in a different climate, culture and country. Ocean Camp Academy is a private school in the Mexican state of Sonora.

 Peter J. Ritter and Rebecca G. Plasse were the local coordinators of the videoconference, and Mark Morelli, an instructor from Ocean Camp, was the long-distance coordinator. Mr. Ritter is the high school’s instructional technology specialist. Ms. Plasse is the fine arts and applied arts chairman, and family and consumer science teacher.

“We’re going to go here with really, really cool technology,” Mr. Ritter told the students before making the video connection. “We’re going to be able to talk loud and clear to Mexico.” Minutes later, all were amazed when students with palm trees in the background began waving to students here.

“Good morning. Hello from Mexico,” Mr. Morelli said. “We have a lovely cloudy day.”

 Mr. Morelli broke the ice by describing the climate and surroundings. He said Ocean Camp is on the Sea of Cortez, and that the weather was “cold” – only about 72 degrees yesterday. “This feels chilly here. The air temperature is typically at least 20 degrees warmer,” Mr. Morelli said.

“Since you’ve made the trip to Mexico,” Mr. Morelli continued, “let me show you what the weather looks like.” He pointed out low tide, a couple of giant cactuses on a nearby hilly area, two nearby islands, and the vast and beautiful watery landscape.

 “Our front yard has more life in it than you can imagine: blue herons, seabirds, dolphins, sea lions,” Mr. Morelli said.

David Mejorado, Katelyn Goodwin, Lindsay Mackie, Shannon Swanson, Darwin Polanco, Alicia Molt, Kevin Hazard, all seniors, and sophomores Leidy Polanco and Jacob Picotte took part in the first long-distance conference.

David reciprocated with introductions, and described Northbridge to the Mexican students. He said Northbridge is a textile mill town, and that about 650 students attend the high school. Then he mentioned the Red Sox, and Mr. Morelli apologized for interrupting and said, “This town is crazy about baseball. Congratulations on your hometown win.”

The Northbridge students got a big kick out of the Mexican students enthusiastically clapping for the Red Sox. David then added, “And the Patriots are on their way to winning the Super Bowl,” which also drew smiles from the students south of the border.

Darwin and Leidy moved to Worcester 18 months ago from Puerto Rico and speak fluent Spanish. All the students seemed to enjoy Leidy’s conversation with one of the students in Mexico.

“Hola,” Leidy said. “Yo soy Leidy.” The two students talked mainly about food, she said. Many of the students here have taken a cultural foods class.

Introductions out of the way, the Mexican students then taught the New England students how to cook abondigas soup, a traditional Mexican meatball and vegetable soup. They continued to chat with each other and ask questions while they learned about Mexican produce, spices and peppers. They learned the soup is traditionally served with fresh tortillas. The students here could practically smell the onions, fresh tomatoes, garlic, chili peppers, Mexican spices and meatballs simmering.

“To think you’re right in our home and you’re enjoying the company of people very far away,” Mr. Morelli said.

Ms. Plasse responded, “How am I going to get a sample of this?”

Mr. Morelli promised to send a detailed recipe. Ms. Plasse said she would like her students to teach other students how to prepare something in the future.

Jacob asked Mr. Morelli if the people in San Carlos cooked at home for every meal, or ate out in restaurants. Mr. Morelli said there were several restaurants in San Carlos. ,“Yes, we even have a Chinese restaurant.”

He said there is a nearby deep port that handles a lot of trade with China, and an enterprising businessman started the Chinese restaurant.

“We have great Chinese food; it’s kind of a quirky thing,” Mr. Morelli said.

Mr. Morelli, Mr. Ritter and Ms. Plasse talked briefly about the educational possibilities with the technology, such as taking the videoconferencing equipment to their towns.

“The possibilities are endless,” Mr. Ritter said. “The thing that is so amazing here is that it isn’t television; we can actually interact.”

Mr. Ritter said he worked with John Judd, a colleague at his former school, the middle school in Belmont, to learn videoconferencing. He met Mr. Morelli when his fifth-graders at that time shared a long-distance science class. Mr. Ritter said he has many ideas for videoconferencing opportunities. Next he would like to connect the two faculties to discuss teaching methods.

“Can you tell I’m excited about the possibilities?” Ms. Plasse said a couple of days ago, and the other educators and students agreed yesterday.

Except for not being able to taste the soup long-distance.