How it works
From sign-up to exchange day, end-to-end.
A simple, teacher-led flow built around safe matching, generous time-zone guidance, and resources that arrive ready-to-use.
- 01
Register your classroom
A 5-minute multi-step form. We capture school, class size, pupil age range, school day, time zone, availability windows, language, and tech setup.
Good to know: You can register one class, several classes, a year group, or a whole school.
- 02
Tell us your preferences
Choose any country, a region, a similar time zone, or a school far away. Tell us your topics of interest and whether you can be flexible with timing.
Good to know: We explain time-zone implications as you choose - so there are no surprises later.
- 03
Confirm safeguarding basics
A quick set of safeguarding confirmations - adult supervision, school-approved video platform, no pupil personal data shared.
Good to know: Your school's own safeguarding policy is the final word; Earthrise:Live is the scaffolding.
- 04
We find your match
Our matching engine scores possible partners by age, language, time-zone overlap, technology fit, and your topic preferences. A human reviews matches before they're sent.
Good to know: If a live exchange isn't realistic, we'll suggest an asynchronous option.
- 05
Meet your partner teacher
We introduce both teachers by email and share a Earthrise:Live Match Pack with everything you need.
Good to know: Pupils never exchange personal contact details. Teachers stay in the loop end-to-end.
- 06
Run your exchange on Thursday 19 November
The main Earthrise:Live connection day is Thursday 19 November 2026. You can also take part anytime across Earthrise:Live Week (Monday 16 to Friday 20 November 2026) - live calls, or asynchronous formats like video postcards, class letters and shared slideshows when time zones make a live call hard.
Good to know: Most classrooms exchange for 15, 30, or 45 minutes. The pack scales to whatever fits.
- 07
Reflect and (optionally) feature
We send a short feedback form and a certificate for your class. You decide what (if anything) to share publicly.
Good to know: Your feedback shapes the platform for next year's Earthrise:Live.
- 08
Come back next year
Earthrise:Live is annual. From 2027 onward, returning teachers get a saved profile, easier re-registration, and matching that learns from what worked.
Good to know: Different partner each year, same global moment around World Children's Day.
Timeline
What happens between now and Earthrise:Live.
Best results come from registering early - for matching, for resource prep, and for sponsor visibility.
| When | What |
|---|---|
| From May 2026 | Register your classroom (open early access) |
| June 2026 | First wave of teacher resources released |
| August 2026 | Public registration opens; sponsor announcements |
| September 2026 | Matching begins for early registrants |
| October 2026 | Match packs sent out; technical rehearsals encouraged |
| Earthrise:Live Week (16-20 Nov) | Final reminders, live tech-support window; exchanges run all week |
| Thursday 19 November 2026 | Main Earthrise:Live connection day - the date most schools book around |
| Friday 20 November 2026 | World Children's Day - the global anchor for the campaign |
| From 21 November | Feedback collected; certificates sent |
| December 2026 | Earthrise:Live Global Classroom Report published |
Good to know
The date, explained.
Why is Earthrise:Live on Thursday 19 November rather than Friday 20 November?
World Children's Day falls on Friday 20 November in 2026. Because school weeks and rest days vary around the world, the main Earthrise:Live connection day takes place on Thursday 19 November, helping more classrooms in more countries take part together.
Ready to register?
It takes about five minutes.