Streamwood science class meets its pen pal

One day, as she lectured on the physical sciences, Shephali Bose spotted something one of her students brought to class — a brown, elongated ball with stitching on one side.

“I said, ‘What is it for? Experimentation?’ ” Bose recalled Friday.

Her students said, “No, it’s for a game.”

“What kind of game?”

“An American game. Football.”

Bose offered the anecdote Friday as an example of how American popular culture has penetrated India, where she teaches high school science.

For the past two years, Bose and her students have corresponded with Streamwood science teacher Greg Reiva and his students.

The exchange has provided both with opportunities to enrich their understanding of science but perhaps more importantly, it has given students from both countries glimpses into the culture and lives of their peers halfway across the globe.

On Friday, Bose, who is in the United States on a fellowship through Northern Kentucky University, visited Streamwood and met Reiva’s students for the first time.

For the students who had been corresponding with Bose through an online forum called ThinkQuest, Bose’s visit was an unexpected and welcome delight.

“It’s really cool to see our friendship come alive by seeing her in person,” said Crystal Prusek, a sophomore who is working with Bose’s students on a green economy project. “It opens my mind that there’s things other than Streamwood, Illinois.”

Bose gave each of Reiva’s classes a presentation on Indian culture — exploring the nation’s history, film industry, sports and religious diversity.

Paisley Hinchley, a sophomore, said the experience of working with Indian students has changed her attitude toward school.

“I was never one to get good grades,” Hinchley said. “I’m kind of inspired to do as well as a lot of the kids in Mumbai. They’re all striving to be the best.”

Now, she boasts, “I’m getting three A’s and one B.”

Bose said her students have learned a lot, too.

“My children have benefited from this interaction,” Bose said. “I think they are getting enriched by language, science and culture.”

Reiva’s students said they plan to stay in touch with their Indian friends even after the school year ends and hope to visit them one day.

Said Reiva: “They’re going to live in a world where they have to work effectively with people all over the world. If you can’t do it, you’re not going to make it.”