Prelude to Parade Day From Shaping Youth’s Tween Reporter

Ever wonder what happens behind the scenes of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade as thousands of volunteers and intricate plans peel off into preparation groups with exacting precision? Here’s how those giant balloons are made and how the floats are built, plus a sneak peek video of school kids visiting the prep studio in Hoboken, N.J., to preview some of the … [Read more...]

Green Scene Needs Digital Convergence for REAL “Power Shift!”

This month, green globetrotters trying to "do good things for the planet" have been leaving ‘carbon footprints’ all over the flippin' country flying to conferences hither and yon... Suggestion? Go virtual, folks. 5000 green teens descended on Washington D.C. for the national youth summit on climate change called Power Shift. (a project of Energy Action … [Read more...]

One Laptop Per Child: Give One, Get One Goin’ Fast!

The pop-up antennas look like little Shrek Horns to me, but they serve a vital purpose on this One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) nonprofit green machine called the 'XO'...Those little rabbit ears can transmit educational 'umphf' to kids in developing countries with a bounty of e-books, internet access, video/music and a world of knowledge...all with sturdy simplicity. (video PSA … [Read more...]

Project Vote Smart: Youth Hub For Critical Thinking Skills

"A people who mean to be their own governors must arm themselves with the power that knowledge gives." --- President James Madison Love it. Says a lot to me, for despite all the techno-hype on e-gizmos, when it really comes down to it, intelligent voters need more than Vote-A-Matic, the latest MOPocket mobile voter text, a trendy Twitter application or blips of video clips … [Read more...]

Planting Earthseeds Via The Magic School Bus: Eco-Media for Kids

Awhile back we wrote about Shaping Youth Correspondent and children's media consultant Ashley, who specializes in kids' TV with an experienced eye toward all things green... Ashley wrote a great post deconstructing the potential 'greenwashing' of Dora's adventures with an octopus trashing the sea, and though I love splashing kids with an eco-message early on, I too fear it … [Read more...]