| Distance Learning USA to Cabo Verde |
| Kids Talk Radio & Jr. Medical School Students Will Start the Tenth Island Project on the Cabo Verde Islands |
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| Students Sam Kushner-Lenhoff (Poly HS) and Yanel Mayorga (Wilson HS) meet with Cabo Verde Visiting Government Officials. |
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| Poly High School Kid's Talk Radio Student journalist Sam Kushner Lenhoff and Bob Barboza at the Carbo Verde Island Mayors Press Conference.. |
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The United States Kids Talk Radio Science Backpack Journalist Team and the Cabo Verde Island Mayors met at City Hall in Long Beach, California to talk about Global Warming and the new Science and Technology (STEM) Student Exchange Program
For years we have been looking for a creative ways to make it possible for students and teachers in the United States to work with students and teachers on the Cabo Verde Islands. It took a US visit of two mayors form the Cabo Verde Islands and the USA Kid’s Talk Radio Science and Technology Journalists to make it possible. “The kids set the stage, and before you knew it, negotiations and great US public relations were underway”, said Bill Tom, Long Beach Press.
Bob Barboza and Kids Talk Radio reporters on special assignment form Wilson and Poly High Schools in Long Beach, California met with two mayors form the Cabo Verde Islands on November 18, 2008. We are setting the stage for the 2011-2012 Cabo Verde Tenth Island Project. Students from around the world will work through a Super School Distance Learning STEM Program to create the worlds most perfect island.
Kids Talk Radio Cabo Verde Mayor's Press ConferenceThe Mayor of Fogo, Sr. Eugenio Veiga, and the Mayor of Brava, Sr. Camilo Goncalves, began their weeklong trip to the state of California by answering environmental questions at our Kid’s Talk Radio Press Conference on Global Warming. Our main goal was to interview the Cabo Verde Mayors for a new C-SPAN project dealing with matters of climate change and global warming. Kid’s Talk Radio and Jr. Medical School students will produce a special podcast for C-SPAN. Our special topic for the C-SPAN project will be global warming and climate change. “Hurricanes are born at and near the Cabo Verde Islands. Our students received first hand knowledge from our visiting mayors,” said Barboza. \We have included both audio and video clips of our special press conference here and on the following websites: www.KidsTalkRadioLA.comwww.BobBarboza.comhttp://KidsTalkRadio.PNN.comThe United States Press Conference Team consisted of Kids Talk Radio student journalist from California, New York, Georgia, and Mississippi. All student journalists are working on special projects to gain a better understanding of global worming throughtout the world. Another important goal is to have one Kid Talk Radio Journalist and one Jr. Medical School Journalist in each one of our fifty states. In 2008, Kids Talk Radio and the ICEAXE Foundation collaborated made it possible to study the effects of global warming and climate change first hand in Antarctica, the North Pole, and the Amazon Jungle. We are now making plans to visit the Cabo Verde Islands in the summer of 2008. We are asking teacher throughtout the world to join us in building news teams that deal with important issues that will benefit all of mankind. We welcome your comments! Contact: Bob Barboza at Suprschool@aol.com
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| Science Journalist Sam Kushner Lenhoff, Poly High School in Long Beach, California. |
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Global Warming becomes Global
Sam Kushner Lenhoff, Student Journalist on Special Assignment
Some might wonder what the city of Long Beach and a volcanic chain of islands off the coast of West Africa have in common. Since Cape Verde is a place where unexpected climate change can mean the difference between life and death, this nation is directly affected by global warming. On November 18, it was the pleasure of the city of Long Beach to welcome two mayors from the Cape Verde islands. The Mayor of Fogo, Sr. Eugenio Veiga, and the Mayor of Brava, Sr. Camilo Goncalves, began their weeklong trip to the state of California by answering environmental questions. These questions from US students were delivered by the founder of Kids Talk Radio, Mr. Bob Barboza and two Long Beach High School reporters.
“We live in a global world…. (Cape Verde) can feel the trickledown effect.” says Mayor Sr. Eugenio Veiga, “Even islands that never get rain are getting it, and it is bad because it is scaring people.” Cape Verdeans rationalize these unusual occurrences by considering the fact that they could possibly be a participant in a climate cycle. These unusual climate occurrences are increasingly important because Cape Verde is heavily dependent on agriculture. This magnifies the effects of drought on the native population.
“Everything we do has a preventative measure…we aim at educating kids at a very young age” says Mayor Veiga. Cape Verde’s unique approach to solving the climate problem is to educate children as to the importance of the environment and climate change. Appreciation of natural resources is a theme that is also reiterated by laws preventing actions such as catching a sea turtle. Dramatic national resources such as a large reef necessitate a policy of strict protection. It is this national emphasis on the environment that causes Cape Verde to dedicate a section of each international meeting to environmental issues.
With a major concern about poverty alleviation, it is funds that limit the necessary research and enforcement of environmental activities. As a result, the Cape Verde mayors believe one of the best actions the US could take would be to participate in a joint research project in Cape Verde. This historic meeting is a major step for the global political activism that is needed for environmental cooperation.
Sam Kushner-Lenhoff
Poly High School Journalism
Long Beach Unified School District
On Special Assignment for
Kid's Talk Radio
Suprschool@aol.com
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| The USA Kid's Talk Radio Cabo Verde Press Confrence Journalists from Long Beach Wilson and Poly High Schools |
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| Yanel Mayorga, Kid's Talk Radio Science Journalist on special assignment from Wilson High School, Long Beach, California |
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Cabo Verde Global Warming and Climate Change Press Conference: Long Beach City Hall
The 8th. Districts Long Beach Councilwoman Rae Gabelich made it possible for the second Cabo Verde and USA Kid’s Talk Radio Press Conference about Global Warming to take place at City Hall in the city of Long Beach. The two mayors from the Cabo Verde Islands were officially welcomed to the City of Long Beach, California.
On Tuesday, November 18, 2008, the Mayor of Brava, Sr. Camilo Goncalves and the Mayor of Fogo, Sr. Eugenio Veiga, visited California and held a press conference with Kids Talk Radio at Long Beach’s Civic Center. Deputy Joao Alves and interpreter Armindo Goncalves accompanied these officials from the Republic of Cape Verde; who are also from Cape Verde. One student reporter from Wilson High School and one student reporter from Poly High School were selected to attend the conference and interview the visitors with their own questions as well as some questions from students in the state of Georgia and students in New York. The press conference covered important issues that are occurring in the Cape Verde islands and that have occurred as well.
The Cape Verde Islands are a group of islands located in the North Atlantic Ocean, North of Senegal on the coast of Western Africa. The islands became independent from Portugal in 1975 and have demonstrated to be one of Africa’s most stable democratic governments since 1990.
The Republic of Cape Verde has been faced with many weather and climate struggles throughout the years. When asked if they have noticed any changes in climate in the past three years, they responded: “From my perspective, nothing extraordinary has been witnessed in cape Verde that would lead me to believe there has been a dramatic climatic change in Cape Verde. But on the other hand we have noticed slight changes in climate patterns. We are now witnessing, although at a small scale, tornadoes or heavy episodic periods of rain that only happened thirty to forty years ago in the Cape Verde islands; we are seeing these phenomenons reoccurring again. For example my island, island Brava is perhaps the most temperate in terms of mild climate, beautiful climate, comfortable climate… but more recently, we have been noticing that the island of Brava, the climate is much, much hotter than it used to be before,” stated Mayor Goncalves. “So that is one of the evidences that we have, because it is something we can feel and witness So then yes, although very small, but it is there and it is notable.” Mayor Veiga elaborated to Mayor Goncalves answer, “We live a global world, and so any global change has a global impact like a trickle-down-effect. Cape Verde is a small country in terms of geography therefore it’s very much insolated. For example, when [I] returned from my studies [in Romania, where I went to college], I felt so hot. I had never felt so hot before. The impression I get, is the temperature increased over time.” Cape Verde has been a drought-ridden place for many years throughout history, but as Mayor Veiga later reported, from June 2008 until now, there has been an increase in rain. This is great for the islands, but the inhabitants seem a bit afraid. “We never expected it!” interpreter A. Goncalves added.
Drought is believed to have been a cause of many fatalities in the past at the Cape Verde Islands. Mayor Veiga introduced his ideas and opinions on the subject. “We didn’t directly experience this period of famine and drought.” The period was during the colonial rule of the Portuguese, and Mayor Veiga believes that the unpredictable weather and the political standing of the islands caused the drought and its outcomes. The islands at the time were a colony that was dependent on foreign countries for food and supplies. Because this was about the same time of World War II, supplies were short. All the components added along with the natural drought increased the number of casualties around this period. During this time, the people affected by the drought and famine were so desperate that in the capital of the Cape Verde Islands, Praia, located on Santiago Island; many people went into an executive office building to beg for food. The building became overwhelmed with people in a very short period of time, that the entire building collapsed and killed all of the people in the building. “It was a dark period of time,” Deputy Joao Alves lamented.
The dark times may have been an unfortunate period but in many cases it also served as a teacher for the Republic to be able to deal with other obstacles as they present themselves. “Based on oral history, oral information handed down to me by my grandparents, the volcano [located in Fogo] erupts about every hundredth year. I think it was in the late 1950’s we had a major volcanic eruption,” Deputy Joao Alves stated. The republic cannot conduct many studies nor has much information recorded because of their lack of equipment and funds. NASA has a weather station located in Fogo and most of the information becomes available through NASA’s station and research.
The Cape Verde islands have many coral reefs that are inhabited by unique plants and animals only found in the Cape Verde reefs. Many scientists are conducting research for medicines with specimens from the reefs and some believe that global warming is hurting the reefs. The mayors explained what action is being taken to protect the reefs and their rare occupants. “Today, the government is introducing more and more legislation in that area. For example every alien has a specific [natural protection] area,” Mayor Goncalves stated. “There is also a strong political and educational component that comes from this, the need to educate people on these natural resources.” Cape Verde also made an agreement with Holland and other countries to protect and promote the need to preservation these natural wonders. There is also a fifteen-year plan to have a technical team make sure the reefs are protected. Unfortunately, there aren’t enough funds to put the plan in action; the plan would cost about one million dollars, of which only fifteen percent is available.
Cape Verde prevents pollution as much as possible, there is little to no pollution from manufactures. They take a preventative approach on just about everything. They try to educate the children about the issues at a young age. As far as protection goes, changes have been made. In the past, people would eat turtles, which led to the endangerment of the species. Now, if a civilian is caught with a turtle, he or she will be fined. “No one messes with the turtles.” Interpreter A. Goncalves stated. Later, after the interview he added, “The U.S. is helping by patrolling our waters so that they aren’t being over-fished by foreign countries.” Apparently, the U.S. Navy makes sure that the waters aren’t being fished because in the past, countries such as China, have fished in them without Cape Verde’s knowledge.
As far as what the United States can do to help the Cape Verdeans preserve and continue to do well is to be able to provide aid in case of a tsunami, volcano eruption, and other natural disasters. They also wish the United States to pair up with Cape Verde and conduct further studies to document and preserve the environment. They are also interested in student exchange programs and partnerships between schools. There is also a lot of poverty on the island and the mayor’s are hoping that with help from the United States and other foreign countries poverty may be eliminated. The Cape Verde island officials visited California with hopes of building a relationship with the United States and to educate others about the needs of preserving the natural resources in the vulnerable islands.
By: Yanel Mayorga
Wilson Classical High School
Kid’s Talk Radio Science Journalist
On Special Assignment
Grade: 12
November 18, 2008
Suprschool@aol.com
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| Cabo Verde Mayors are welcomed by the City of Long Beach |
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| Antarctica Science Projects |
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| Doug Stoup, Principal Dinah Consuegra, and Bob Barboza talk to students about Antarctica. |
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| Students at Green Dot's Animo Locke Tech High School students with Doug Stoup. |
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| Super Sub Explorer Doug Stoup is in this months National Geographic Traveler. Green Dot students are reading about our trip to the North Pole. |
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| Doug with Stacey our Kid's Talk Radio Locke Tech High School Journalist. Stacey worked with Bob Barboza at the UCLA Anderson School of Business Project. |
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| Green Dot Charter Schools |
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Green Dot Charter Schools
Green Dot is a nonprofit organization, which operates ten public schools in Los Angeles. Steve Barr founded the organization in 1999. The schools Green Dot operates are each named Animo, the Spanish word for rigor and strength. The graduation rates of schools operated by Green Dot are higher than those of the Los Angeles Unified School District, with 80% of students graduating from Animo schools, compared to 47% for LAUSD. In 2006, Green Dot opened 5 charter schools within the attendance area of Los Angeles' troubled Jefferson High School. In 2008, a majority of permanent teachers at Locke High School voted to reconstitute the under performing school as a Green Dot Charter School.
Doug Stoup and Bob Barboza’s Super Subs are working with some of the Green Dot schools . They want to send news messages and science reports from Antarctica, the Amazon Jungle, and the North Pole to the Green Dot schools.
We have plans to have a Jr. Medical School and Kid’s Talk Radio student on our ship bound for Antarctica on October 29, 2008. Who wants to go to Antarctica?
Our second trip will leave in February and we have room for 25 students, 5 teachers and 5 scientists. Our goal is to take kids from Watts, California to Antarctica.
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| Doug with Kid's Talk Radio Journalist at Locke Tech High School. Students will communicate with us while we are in Antarctica. |
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| Doug Stoup and Bob Barboza spoke to all the students at Locke Tech High School. We are looking for students to take with us to Antarctica. Student will follow our every move with the Internet. |
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| Green Dot Charter Schools |
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| Green Dot Charter School Staff (Locke High School) |
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| New trees are planted at the new Locke Tech High School. |
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| The trees make all the differnce in making this school beautiful. These trees were donated by actress Cameron Diaz. |
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| Animo Locke 2 Principal Taquan Stewart and counselor Jerry were visiting Locke High School. |
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| Locke High School is under new management and the whole country is watching. Locke HS is off to a good start and they are going to make it. |
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| Teachers and students in the Green Dot School are all wearing uniforms. This seems to be a step in the right direction. |
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| Green Dot Charter Schools |
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| Locke High School is turning heads. They are located in the Watts, California and they have plans to get their kids in our nations top colleges. |
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| Green Dot Schools work like one big team. |
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| Jr. Sports Reporters |
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Student Journalist Needed
We need stories for Kids Talk Radio, Jr. Medical School, Jr. Business School, and Super School Teen TV. How would you like to be a student freelance backpack journalist. For more information send your comments to Suprschool@aol.com.
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(C) 2008-2011 Super School University, Kids Talk Radio, Robert Barboza, All Rights Reserved
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