Explanation: Skype, Facetime and Google Hangouts are great ways to connect with experts in the field or other classes in other countries. The Skype website will give you great ideas about world-wide connections. Use the Skype suggestions or use these suggestions as a springboard for other opportunities.

Skype Successes

Young Adult Authors: Many authors asked me to pay for their time to Skype with students. I told them that I could not pay their speaking fee, but I could spend that amount of money buying their books to keep in our library. Every author I approached loved that idea and accepted it.

University of Utah Entertainment Arts and Engineering: These students develop video games and learn different coding styles. They talk to the students about the timelines, pressures of the trade and the skills needed to succeed in that program.

Yellowstone Ranger: The Yellowstone Rangers spend time explaining scientific elements in the park as well as live web camera views of events happening in the park.

Astronaut Appearances: Look at the NASA Astronaut Appearance request site to see the requirements to Skype with an astronaut. This takes a bit more work to submit the paperwork, but the astronaut appearance was a fantastic opportunity for students to hear from an astronaut about her experiences in space.