Posted April 2009 League players go back to school
		Some of state's best young athletes are taking a break from the rugby field and heading back to the classroom. In a project spanning the NRL season, the North Queensland Toyota Cowboys have teamed up with Smart Classrooms Mentors to promote the value teamwork. Far North Queensland Smart Classrooms Mentor Nicola House said 'Cowboys in the Classroom', will give Year 5 to 7 students the chance to interact with the team online. 'This is a facilitated project where teachers and students will be required to complete a series of tasks relating to the importance of exercise and team sports,' said Ms House. 'These tasks will then lead to a culminating activity that synthesises student learning throughout the project. Registrations for the program have now closed, with demand exceeding all predications. Run through the Learning Place, the students will be asked to determine what they believe constitutes a good team and what characteristics a person needs to be a valuable team member.

Online interactions include opportunities to chat online with Cowboys' players, coaches and support personnel, and contribute to the supporters' blog.

While the project has attracted a large amount of interest, 'Cowboys in the Classroom' will only be offered to 48 classes in the Queensland area this year.

If successful, it is hoped that the program will expand in 2010.

'The kids will complete a series of tasks including, designing a team logo and writing a catchy team song,' said Ms House.

'Everything has been designed to be fun, as well as informative for the kids.

'Many ICT strategies have been woven throughout the project, students are introduced to each task via a video message from a Cowboys player and podcasts have also been developed to provide support information.

'It is envisaged that some teachers may even wish to extend students beyond these tasks … we have included additional ideas and resources to facilitate this.'

Read more about the project through the Cowboys in the Classroom events page.