CultureGrams and the Election, tied together

Susan Sarandon is threatening a move to Canada if John McCain becomes the president.

Seal and Heidi Klum it's 'Germany here we come!' if it's a VP Palin next week.

Tina Fey will leave the planet.  Where would you go when the going gets tough?

I started the CultureGrams intro with pictures of the rich and famous listed above, and asked the 10th grade students what country they'd consider? How would they get solid information to determine if the governmental system of this country is more palatable? Not just facts but customs and traditions? They said Wikipedia but today's new answer was CultureGrams. 

Unique in it's heritage, CultureGrams was conceived by Mormon missionaries to acquaint others of the faith who might visit and attempt to convert the locals. So it was best not to offend them with a handshake instead of a kiss (usually on the cheek). The 'database' (an unpalatable term) of states and countries is now written by long-time residents. The graphs and tables, either custom made or originals by students, compare literacy rates for women and men, life expectancy, gross domestic product, etc. and are all pretty clear to the kids. 

I had to point out the Human Development Index rank, a UN developed evaluation based on freedoms, education, jobs, and opportunities. Look how good we've got it! But kids found out the dating and marriage customs amusing, while I was mesmerized by the diversity of their country selection and their verbal analysis of the data. But without an easy link to it on our webpage they'll still pull up Wikipedia with their Google searches. Google is their 'binkie', an addiction that they won't give up without bribes.