Northport IB students return from Global Leadership Summit; two finalists, district weighs cost and expansion

Twelve students from the Northport-East Northport Union Free School District attended Education First's Global Leadership Summit and an accompanying tour of Germany and Switzerland this summer, IB coordinator Kristen Bridal told the Board of Education on Tuesday night.

Bridal described the summit as a student-centered conference focused on "future readiness in a changing world," where attendees used design thinking to develop solutions to global problems. Students worked in international teams, pitched projects to judges and two Northport students were on teams selected as finalists, Bridal said.

At the board meeting, students who attended described their work and the summit experience. "It was definitely an experience I'll never forget," student Nico Escobar said, recounting that his team made a finalist presentation on an AI-assisted exposure therapy projection tool. Another student said her team's project focused on a bag that converts to a bed for youths placed in emergency foster care.

The trip included site visits and cultural activities in Berlin and Geneva and a visit to EF Tours' headquarters in Zurich. Bridal said one winning solution from the summit will be displayed at the Nobel Prize Museum in Sweden for a year.

Why it matters: Board members pressed staff on equity and access after learning only 12 IB students took the trip. Trustee Dave asked whether other IB students were excluded for cost or scheduling conflicts; Bridal said cost and timing were factors and that some students had dance or band commitments. The trip fee reported at the meeting was $6,700 per student. Bridal and others said EF works with schools on planning and that earlier notice and multi-year fundraising can broaden participation.

Board members also asked whether materials showing the student presentations could be shared; Bridal said she has videos of the student pitches and offered to distribute them to trustees.

Details from the meeting: - Participants and leadership: Bridal identified the program as the district's first international IB tour. Chaperone Greg Guido, a Northport High School physics teacher, accompanied the students. - Scope and activities: Students attended workshops, worked in mixed international teams (8-student teams organized by EF), and used design thinking to develop solutions tied to education, career and life readiness goals. - Outcomes: Two Northport students were on finalist teams; one winning project at the summit proposed an AI-enabled assistive device for people who are blind, Bridal said. - Cost and access: Bridal said the tour cost $6,700 per student, that most expenses were included after payment, and that some students could not attend because of timing with band camp or dance competitions. Trustees discussed fundraising strategies and the value of multi-year planning so families can save.

Bridal told the board the district plans to repeat international opportunities: she said she has filed paperwork for next year's summit, which EF has scheduled in Costa Rica. "I would like to [do it again]. I put in the paperwork for next year," Bridal said.

The presentation drew supportive comments from trustees who said the trip offered curricular links to history and social studies and gave students real-world context for classroom learning. Trustee Mike asked what the summit winner proposed; Bridal described an AI device to identify objects for a person who is blind. Trustee Jim and others thanked the students for presenting to the board.

Ending: Bridal said the district will try to make future trips affordable and that EF helps schools plan multi-year programs so families can fundraise over time. She offered to share videos of the student presentations with trustees.