Westwood Regional Students See World Through New Google Program

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP, N.J. — Students at the George School in Washington Township didn't have to leave their seats to visit the Great Barrier Reef, national parks and the outer space.

Mr. Donatello’s 5th grade class explores the Great Barrier Reef.
Photo Credit: *Jessica Gluck*

Fifth grader Ashlee Connelly explores the Amazon for Google Expeditions' pioneering phase.
Photo Credit: *Jessica Gluck*

Students in Mrs. King’s fourth grade look up, down and all around while exploring a variety of United States National Parks.
Photo Credit: *Jessica Gluck*

Mrs. Arias’ fourth grade class taking a trip to Mt. Rushmore.
Photo Credit: *Jessica Gluck*

Students in Mrs. Duda’s class went to the moon and back.
Photo Credit: *Jessica Gluck*

Mrs. Oneill’s 2nd grade class explores Australia's Waverock landform and others.
Photo Credit: *Jessica Gluck*

Mrs. Mazanec’s class swims with animals under the sea.
Photo Credit: *Jessica Gluck*

Cecilia Levine

10/16/2015 5:30 a.m.

Using a cardboard viewer and an Android phone, youngsters in second, fourth and fifth grade tested out several collections of panorama videos on Oct. 14, thanks to Google's new "Expeditions" program being pioneered in six states and three countries.The videos have annotated details and highlights.

Google will use the Westwood Regional School District students' feedback to improve the program before it launches.

"Students stood at the Great Wall of China to see how far it went," Principal Jessica Gluck said. "They went to the moon and saw footprints right in front of them."

Fifth grade teacher Rebecca Duda was excited to give her students a better understanding of the different biomes they'll be learning about.

"The imagination of a child is limitless," Duda said. "[My students] came up with possibilities that would never occur to an adult.

"It was amazing to watch their excitement grow as they contributed to the development of the technology."

Gluck said she hopes the school will be able to utilize the cutting-edge technology again to give students a broader understanding of the curriculum.

CLICK HERE for more on Google Expeditions.

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