Hershey Continues Innovative Distance Learning Program Connecting U.S. And Rural Ghanaian School Children

The Hershey Company (NYSE: HSY):

• Social studies class at Milton Hershey School in Pennsylvania shares cultural experiences with students in Assin Fosu, Ghana
• The first-of-its-kind program was developed by Hershey in partnership with Source Trust and Milton Hershey School

The Hershey Company (NYSE: HSY) today announced that it will continue through the end of the 2013 school year its successful Hershey Learn to Grow Ghana Distance Learning Program, a unique distance learning program launched last fall. The program links school children in Hershey, Pa., and Ghana through real-time, high-definition technology that creates a common, virtual classroom experience.

The program allows approximately 80 middle school students in classrooms on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean to connect and share cultural experiences. The Milton Hershey School students connect to the students in Assin Fosu, Ghana, a rural town located in the Central Region, from The Hershey Story, The Museum on Chocolate Avenue in downtown Hershey, Pa.

This semester, teachers are encouraging the students in Hershey, Pa., and Assin Fosu, Ghana, to research selected topics of interest, plan how to engage in the topic and then lead parts of the actual live classroom sessions.

“We are excited about this new approach, which is less teacher-driven and will allow the children to lead the sessions, directly engage with each other and truly share the best of their cultures,” said David Bruce, sixth-grade social studies teacher at Milton Hershey School. “We believe this new approach will be more meaningful and provide a deeper understanding for the students of what it’s like to live in each country.”

During the spring semester, students will cover a range of topics that will enable them to explore each other’s culture and country’s practices. For example, one session covers “festivals” and looks at how and why each country celebrates important cultural events or special occasions. In another session, students in Ghana plan to talk about how children are named in their country and the cultural significance of different names.

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