Students from Warwick Academy were given the chance to take part in virtual education as part of an environmental project across the world.

The sixth-form students used the latest computer technology to speak with international students, create part of an online magazine and web page, and undertake environmental research for the `Rising Seas Project'.

Created by the company Knowledge House for a presentation at the Commonwealth Conference of Education Ministers, the `Rising Seas Project' is ground-breaking approach to a `virtual education'.

Fourteen students from Warwick Academy, Parrsboro High School in Nova Scotia, and Gloucester High School in Ontario were split into two teams, and were given the challenge of being investigative journalists and preparing an article for an actual environmental e-zine about the problem of rising sea levels.

Each student committed to four hours of preparation work before the three-day programme officially began. They used the latest Internet technology to compile the report and were given workshops on the hi-tech computerware.

Digital mapping and chemistry were incorporated in the research, writing and creation of the web page. Although this programme is not yet used as a formal assessment of students, they each had to complete pre-project, self, peer, and final product assessments.

The creators of the `Rising Seas Project' hope that this type of format will be used in schools around the globe on a regular basis, saying it helps to ease learning as well as prepare students for the new technology-based business environment that they will experience after finishing school.

Maggie McCorkell said: "This programme has been a success. I am very excited about the new opportunities it gives teenagers around the world.

"Although it involved a lot of work for both the organisers and the students.

It provided a great way for young people to apply their knowledge in a real world situation.

"I am confident that each participant walked away with new technological and teamwork skills, and the student response has been extremely positive. If you ever have an opportunity to do something of this nature, I would encourage you to do it, you won't regret it.'' The students participating from Bermuda were Helen Larzeleer and Kris Sannemalm, Melissa Fox and Mike Watson.

The student technical facilitator was Wendell Ebbin and Jennifer Young was the research facilitator. Maggie McCorkell and Mark Hamilton were the teacher supervisors.

*** Christine Mayor is a fifth-year student at Warwick Academy