Videoconference

Students from across Minnesota will speak live with experts about China's science and technology, business and trade, government and culture through videoconferences produced by TIES, a consortium that provides education technology services to Minnesota public schools. The videoconferences complement other educational material on this web site.

Dates

October 19 through November 9 -- every Wednesday

Videoconference Series

• China as a Superpower - October 19, 10 - 10:45 a.m. CDT

  Will China become a superpower in the next 25 years? In the next five years? Why does everything seem to come from China? Join a conversation about these questions and more with China expert Paul Kullman from the U.S. Department of Commerce.

• Chinese Travel and Dance - October 26, 10 - 10:45 a.m. CDT
  

  Part One - Navigating China as a Student, Traveler and Businessperson: Explore the ins and outs of visiting, studying and working in China in this question-and-answer session with Sophia Wang. A cardiologist, neuro- and cardiovascular scientist, marketer and investor, Wang created Synaptic Medical to put her business expertise, extensive connections in China and passion for emerging technologies to work helping health care companies expand into China¹s market.

  Part Two - Chinese Dance: Young dancers from the Chinese American Association of Minnesota's Chinese Dance Theater will perform three dances in native costumes and makeup. Three 12-year-olds will perform "The Butterfly," a story of children chasing butterflies; five 9-year-olds will perform "Young Peacocks"; and two 12-year-olds will present a Mongolian dance called "Galloping on the Prairie.

• China's History, Culture and Arts - November 2, 10 - 10:45 a.m. CST

  Why is red such an important color in China? Elementary students will get answers to this and other questions they have about China’s history, culture and the arts from Margaret Wong. A Chinese studies teacher at Breck School, Wong has led 23 student trips to China. She has been teaching Chinese to K-12 students since 1979.

• China and the Governor's Trade Mission - November 9, 11 - 11:30 a.m. CST

With over 200 Minnesota delegates, including seven students, Governor Pawlenty's trade mission to China is the largest in Minnesota history and possibly the nation. Speak with the governor, students and business leaders about the trip, its purpose and their expectations of success.

• China and Emerging Medicine - November 9, 1 - 1:45 p.m. CST

  Chinese medical providers are learning new ways of treating children’s heart disease with the help of Children’s Heartlink of Minnesota. Join a conversation with Elizabeth Bickel, president of Children’s Heartlink, before she leaves for China with a volunteer cardiac team that will perform surgeries and teach local cardiac teams. Bickel will also be joining the governor's trade mission in China.

Participating Schools

Taking part in the videoconferences are students from Burnsville, Cambridge, Edina, Forest Lake, Osseo, Richfield and Hamline University, in addition to schools in Rochester, New York.

How to participate

To participate, contact Kathy Kraemer, TIES videoconferencing producer, at kraemer@ties.k12.mn.us, 651-999-6508, or www.ties.k12.mn.us.  All videoconferences will be held over IP videoconferencing.