Introducing Skype-A-Thon, a 48-hour virtual classroom event where children became the teachers. We challenged students from around the world to share a part of their own culture with classrooms in other parts of the world through Skype.

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella kicked off the event by challenging educators to “travel” a combined 1 million virtual miles through Skype connections. Classrooms signed up online in the weeks leading up to the Skype-A-Thon, and challenged each other through Facebook and Twitter. Ellen Degeneres joined the movement, encouraging participation during her television show. The event itself was moderated by Microsoft’s Global Education team, who stayed up for the first 24 hours straight to facilitate connections and lessons and engage with select classrooms. From geography to biology to coding, the lessons were as diverse as the children who shared them. Thousands of students were exposed to new cultures and ideas throughout the event, and classrooms proudly posted their virtual miles “traveled” on social media.

In those 48 hours, students from around the world “traveled” over 3 million virtual miles through Skype connections, surpassing the brand’s goal by 300%. The event generated over 148 million impressions and over 10 million engagements within the education community alone. But the most meaningful outcome? A new generation of Global Citizens who have taught us all that the most powerful way to learn is from each other.