Skype with/for high school students

[Linda Keesing]

I work in a 9-12 high school, and I would like to know if anyone has identified any authors suitable for high school who are willing to Skype. (I am aware of Cory Doctorow).

Also, does anyone have any suggestions about finding "experts" in various fields addressed in high school (marine biology, climate change, engineering, health, US law, American history) who might be willing to Skype?

Thanks!

[Carole Ashbridge]

I believe that Laurie Halse Anderson Skypes.
Carole

[Linda Keesing]

Thanks, Carole. Our students love her books!

[Megan Blakemore]

There are many authors who are part of the Skype an Author network:
http://skypeanauthor.wetpaint.com/
There are many YA authors on the list including, full disclosure, myself. You can search by audience and find the right author for you.

[Mary E Collins]

Does your high school let you Skype? I recently asked them to load Skype onto my classroom computer and was refused. Do you know of another way to use a web cam to bring people in? I am so excited because I just received a webcam from DOnorsChose.org and wanted to use it to SKype with authors and my penpal school and now have run into this hitch.
Thanks, MaryBeth

[Linda Keesing]

MaryBeth, What a shame that you're not allowed to load Skype. We can, although it's just getting started. I have not done so yet. I've heard that there are other services that do same/similar as Skype. I think Google has something that allows free video calls, but I'm not sure. Hope you find something!

[Mary E Collins]

Linda,
Fabulous news! I asked again, a different person, and got a yes this time! I can't wait to get started!
MaryBeth

[Linda Keesing]

Excellent! Please let me know how you're using it. Good luck!

[Mary E Collins]

Linda, I know I'm not High School but thought I'd share. I have a Skype with an author set up (Suzanne Slade) in February and a session with our pen pal class in Texas happening soon that will have something to do with a science project. Also, we might be involved in a book discussion with a class in Chicago. MaryBeth

[Clarisse Bushman]

Yes, Paul Volponi. He is fabulous! We did a conference call with him last year (high school) and the students had a wonderful time. I believe he now skypes and charges a reasonable fee.
Clarisse

[Linda Keesing]

Clarisse,
Thanks for the suggestion. We have his books, and they are popular with some of our students.

[Eric Bateman]

This article in SLJ -- http://bit.ly/3FKPL3 -- inspired me to pursue my own Skype endeavors; the accompanying list includes several authors for teen book clubs.