Create a MY HERO Web Page

Visitors of all ages can publish online tributes to heroes from all walks of life using the CREATE Program. This program provides a user-friendly introduction to Web technology. As students develop their MY HERO web pages, the program allows them access to their stories from any computer with an Internet connection, be it at school, home, or in the public library.

1. Register

This form asks for relevant information such as name, grade, school, and email contact. This information is only used to contact authors whose stories have been activated and selected to be featured. This information will not be given to any third party. Students may use a school contact or email address, rather than their own. Minors working at home must have parental approval prior to giving out any email or telephone contact information.

Teachers and after-school program instructors using this project in classrooms should ask all participating students to identify the name of the school or organization in the requested "organization field" on the registration page. Once submitted, all stories are reviewed and then activated by the MY HERO staff. Teachers can then locate their students' work by searching the MY HERO database with the name of their school or organization.

2. Write your MY HERO essay.

Stories can be prepared as a text file in any word processing program and be from one to five or more paragraphs. MY HERO editors encourage authors to answer these five questions within their essay:

WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN AND WHY?

1. Who is your hero?
2. What has your hero done?
3. Where does your hero live?
4. When did your hero live?
5. Why is this person important to you?
(How have they made a difference in your life?)

Completed essays can be saved as text files on your computer and then pasted into the MY HERO template. You may return online to edit and revise your text as often as you like over the next several weeks.

3. Add Images and Multimedia to your MY HERO Web page

Artwork or photos can be scanned into the computer and then uploaded onto the MY HERO Web page. Images must be saved as jpg or gif files on the desktop at 72 dots per inch (dpi) maximum resolution (200k maximum file size). Choose the layout of the images (left, right or center of the text). Make sure to credit the photographer or artist who made the image.

Those without access to a scanner or digital phototools can snail mail copies of their images to MY HERO. Do not send original photos or artwork. Be sure to clearly label the photos with the hero's name, and credit the photographer or artist who made the image.

Audio, video and multimedia files can be added to MY HERO web pages. Multimedia files may be mailed to MY HERO on CD-ROM, Zip disk, audio or digital videotape:

4. Add appropriate links to your web sites

Research links to other educational Web sites, then copy and paste the Web site’s URL into the area provided for links in the MY HERO Web design program.
 
For example,
Link: The MY HERO Project
HREF: http://www.myhero.com
Link Detail: My Hero celebrates the best of humanity.

Clearly describe the names of the Web sites that you have chosen to link to and check that links are working.

5. Edit and Revise your MY HERO Web page

Log on to your MY HERO account to edit your Web page, adjust image sizes and layout, and add additional information such as a bibliography. Place credits under each image and provide a caption with the name of your hero. Check your spelling and punctuation. Once you are satisfied with your work you might want to print a copy or save a copy on your desktop.

6. Submit your MY HERO story

Once submitted, stories can no longer be revised. So be sure to proofread your web page and make sure you are satisfied with the layout. Then click on "I'M FINISHED - SUBMIT THIS PAGE".

All submitted stories are reviewed by the MY HERO staff, then activated for public viewing. Stories can be found by searching the MY HERO database using the search engine found on the home page. Searches can be done by giving a name, keyword or organization.

PRIZES

T-Shirt Prize

All authors of stories "FEATURED" on the MY HERO Web site will be awarded a Genius T-Shirt Prize. A school e-mail or telephone contact must be provided on the registration form in order for staff to notify teachers that their student’s work is featured on the MY HERO Web site.

Special Recognition Award

Prizes are awarded each year to authors whose stories are selected for special recognition. Students, parents, teachers and authors of all ages are eligible for this special award. Stories are first selected by the MY HERO staff, then reviewed by an outside panel of journalists. There is no deadline; stories selected for this honor will be FEATURED on the MY HERO home page in a special awards section.

To be eligible, the MY HERO essay must be 200-800 words and must be submitted using the MY HERO Create Program. The essay may include original illustrations or photographs, all of which need to be properly credited. Authors must provide their grade (if relevant), age and an e-mail or telephone contact.

http://myhero.com/create