About Project Connect
http://projectconnect.telecompioneers.org
Project Connect is a series of 7 web-based learning applications that combine a fun, gaming experience with educational content related to our everyday experiences with telecommunications technology. The result? A challenging and engaging educational experience.

The PC program is considered serious games (SGs.) Serious games are computer and video games used as educational technology. Serious games can be of any genre.  Project Connect is considered a kind of edutainment genre.

Edutainment (also educational entertainment or entertainment-education) is a form of entertainment designed to educate as well as to amuse. Edutainment typically seeks to instruct or socialize its audience by embedding lessons in some familiar form of entertainment: television programs, computer and video games, films, music, websites, multimedia software, etc.

This is the second generation of PC. The games have been enhanced from the original version. Among the many added features, the predominant enhancement is a central story line where players become the newest member of TechForce – a secret international elite network of kids from around the world whose mission is to protect the earth and create a better future for mankind through technology.  Each game has a new mission for the player to accomplish. The ability to compete for high scores against users anywhere in the world is another prime feature.

Project Connect is an international community service project of the TelecomPioneers and as such, the web-based program is FREE to all users. The project is fully funded by the TelecomPioneers.

About the Seven Games and their Missions:
E-Mail Connect
Insano is at it again, trying to wreck the TechForce e-mail network by unleashing viruses on the routers that handle e-mail traffic. Luckily he doesn’t know that even if one part of the network is damaged, the message can travel on another path. Your mission: make sure e-mail messages arrive at their destination.

Compression Connect
Thanks to your undercover work, we have high quality digital photos of evil Insano’s henchmen. We need to make sure TechForce kids around the world are on the lookout for these sneaky villains. Your mission: compress and e-mail these photos to key TechForce headquarters locations.

Fiber Connect
Sightings of Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs) have been increasing worldwide, and we suspect Insano is behind it. TechForce kids have set up cameras to monitor the sites where UFOs were spotted, keeping them informed of any suspicious activity. Your mission: manually transmit the information through the fiber optic cable.

Cable Connect
Insano has built a robot to destroy the coral reefs and uncover a treasure hidden on the ocean floor. Coral reefs must be protected. TechForce kids are the only ones who can help. They need a super fast fiber optic cable to send each other photographs, video, and other information about the destruction of the coral reefs. Your mission: guide a ship that lays fiber-optic communication cables along the ocean floor to connect the cities.

Satellite Connect
Our satellite expert, Dr. Franz, has gone missing and someone has broken into his lab. Eyewitness accounts point to Insano’s gang as the culprits. Problem is, they never stay in one place for very long. Your mission: build and launch a satellite to keep an eye on Insano’s gang and track down Dr. Franz.

Cellular Connect
Your local TechForce group has been hired to construct the world’s first cellular network that is certified “Insano Safe” – connecting family and friends securely and reliably. Your mission: build a cellular network that will attract customers and earn the money needed to keep the project going.

VoIP Connect
We need your help in planning the annual TechForce Battle of the Bands concert. You need to call several TechForce bands that want to compete. Insano has tried to sabotage the concert by cutting your phone lines, but you have another solution. Your mission: use the Internet to make the phone calls.

Project Connect is located at http://projectconnect.telecompioneers.org

GETTING STARTED

How to Obtain a Username and Password for the Online Program

1. Launch your Internet browser and type in the address: http://projectconnect.telecompioneers.org    
2. At the Home screen, click Administrator Login and enter your username and password (if known) and click the <Log In> button.  
3. If you have credentials in the TCP database and have forgotten your password, OR if you have never had login credentials before, click the “Forgot your password?” link below the <Log In> button.  
4. Click the link to continue.                        
5. You will be asked to enter your e-mail address and your password will be sent to you at that address (assuming your e-mail address is on file).  

 If you do not have a username and password, a unique username and password will be sent to you at the e-mail address you provide - if the e-mail address you provide is on file.                       

6. If your e-mail address is not recognized, you will be directed to contact the TelecomPioneers Resource Center for further assistance.  
7. If you are not a Pioneer and/or do not have an e-mail address in the TCP database, please call 800-872-5995 to obtain a username and password to access the program.                        

Please Note: Your username and password is standard for all TelecomPioneers applications such as Power Up to Read, Project Connect and PALS.  If you change your password in any one of these applications that will change your password for ALL of them.