No matter where your school might be, here's a chance for your students to "meet" on-line with a "real scientist" involved in a variety of natural history investigations and research.

Discussions are led by Bill Hilton Jr. (above left), author of "This Week at Hilton Pond" and an award-winning science educator who has a National Science Foundation-funded project that encourages teachers to use hummingbirds as tools to excite students about science and cross-disciplinary learning (see the Operation RubyThroat Web site for details). Through Nuts About Nature, students can see and talk directly with Hilton in real time, asking nature-related questions, getting guidance about student projects, and even showing him nature artifacts for identification.

WHAT YOU NEED IN YOUR CLASSROOM

FOR MAC USERS:

• Broadband Internet connection (NOT a dial-up)
• Web cam & microphone (available inexpensively from various sources, including Wal-Mart; FireWire cameras work best, USB models should do)
• .Mac or AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) account
• Macintosh computer (G3, G4, or G5) running OS 10.X and iChat AV 3.X

With the right equipment and sufficient bandwidth, iChat discussions are VERY easy to set-up. If you DO need assistance, ask your media specialist or school IT representative.

FOR WINDOWS USERS:

We recently have started using SightSpeed as a way to conduct AV Web chats with folks who do not have Macintosh computers or easy access to iChat. SightSpeed is a free, cross-platform application you might also try under the Windows operating system. You'll still need a Web cam and microphone as described above. Contact us as outlined below if you'd like to try using SightSpeed. (SightSpeed also works with Macintosh.)

HOW TO PARTICIPATE

• After you get your .Mac or AOL Instant Messenger screen name, send it to us at EDUCATION; in return, we'll E-mail you OUR screen name.
• As an alternative for users of Windows machines, register with SightSpeed and get a screen name to send us.
• Arrange a time to set up the equipment and test the connection with us in advance, using the classroom or media center where your students will meet for the conference.
• Schedule a 30- to 45-minute video chat for your students.

• There is NO CHARGE for Nuts About Nature or Operation RubyThroat iChat AV conferences.
• If your school doesn't have Mac equipment, ask if one of your students or parents has a Mac laptop you can borrow for a Nuts About Nature AV discussion. (Or check out the possibilities for using your Windows-based machine with SightSpeed.)
• Some teachers hook the computer to a digital projector to display the video portion so an entire class can easily watch the chat. Others simply gather everyone around the computer monitor.
• With Hilton Pond Center's Mac as the originating hub, up to THREE different classrooms or schools can be involved in the same Nuts About Nature or Operation RubyThroat on-line iChat session, allowing for geographical comparisons. (Photos above show how two, three-, and four-way iChat AV conferences would appear on your monitor. SightSpeed does not allow multiple participants except under their paid subscription plan.)
• Sessions are open to English-speaking classes ANYWHERE in the world. Students who don't speak English can also participate if a bilingual interpreter is available on-site or via iChat. (What a great way to link Operation RubyThroat participants with French-speaking Canadians, English-speaking U.S. students, and Spanish-speaking classes in Mexico and Central America!)
• Neighborhood home-schooled groups are welcome, so long as at least SIX students are involved.
• Only a limited number of Nuts About Nature and Operation RubyThroat time slots are available, so schedule yours soon.

Hilton also leads a free monthly Nuts About Nature Web chat for pre- and in-service educators and other nature enthusiasts through the TappedIn™ network. If you'd like to join us, simply register as a member or guest at TappedIn™ and log in at 9 p.m. ET on any 3rd Tuesday. (TappedIn™ is text-based, so you don't need a Web cam or microphone.) Each monthly session starts off with discussion of a general theme, but the chat is likely to cover a variety of timely topics.

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