With the G-20 summit this month, the world is becoming a bit smaller for students in Pittsburgh-area elementary and secondary schools.

The G-20 summit -- which will bring world leaders to Pittsburgh on Sept. 24 and 25 -- gives teachers a springboard to bring other countries and international issues to life.

The ways the summit is becoming a "teachable moment" range from art to social studies: South Allegheny High School art students are using globes to convey G-20 messages, and the G-20 will be the focus of a regional student summit Thursday at Fox Chapel Area High School, organized by the World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh and the school.

"After hearing Pittsburgh was hosting it, I've been reading every article about it ever since," said Meghan Ryan, a Fox Chapel senior helping with the school summit. "I am really interested in world affairs and the fact we're going to be the center, everyone's going to be focusing on Pittsburgh."

The summit at Fox Chapel promises to be the premier school-day event. It is so popular that its 500 slots were filled by students from about 30 school districts three days after it was announced. More than 1,500 other students will participate via video conference or webcast.

In addition, students in three countries -- Johannesburg, South Africa; Sao Paulo, Brazil; and Milan, Italy, also will participate via video conference.

"Everybody is excited to learn more and more about what is the G-20 exactly and what are they going to be talking about and why are they coming to Pittsburgh," said Christina Unger, education program manager for the World Affairs Council.

The 12 schools participating via video conference will be able to both see and be seen, hear and be heard. Those using webcasts will be able to send e-mails to ask questions.

The program will begin with three keynote speakers: Steven Clemons, director, American Strategy Program and senior fellow, New America Foundation; Juan Delgado, chief economist, Spanish National Commission for Competition; and David Shorr, program officer, Stanley Foundation.

Afterward, the students will be randomly assigned to country groups where they will discuss economic recovery, the environment and energy from the country's point of view. An expert at each session will help provide information on the country. Then each country group will report to the larger group.

Schools that are videoconferencing will be connected to other schools that are videoconferencing during the breakout sessions. Those using the Web will confer within their own schools.

At Mt. Lebanon High School, about 200 students from various districts will watch the panel there and then break out into their own small groups.

Jennifer Klein, Fox Chapel High social studies and gifted support teacher who is spearheading the school's summit efforts, said, "I think what they're looking forward to the most is discussing the global economy. You wouldn't think high school kids would care, but they do. They're really looking forward to hearing what other students have to say."

The World Affairs Council also has prepared materials schools can use to help students learn about the countries and the issues.

Beyond the student summit, G-20 is making its way into area classrooms.

At Avonworth Middle School, eighth-graders will do a unit that uses G-20 as a theme. Students will be divided into country "delegations" that will research the economy, government type, natural resources, historic landmarks, energy and the environment for their assigned countries. Some also will study protesters and their agendas.

Then the students will make presentations on the actual days of the G-20, Sept. 24 and 25.

"Doing thematic units is a big part of the middle school philosophy and teaming," said Principal Thomas Ralston. "Anything you can do to bring more relevance to the topic heightens the ability to retain it."

Last week, eighth-graders in teacher Jason Smith's class looked up articles about G-20 on the Internet and wrote summaries.

At West Mifflin Area Middle School, seventh-grade social studies teacher Jim Klipa will have students preparing travel brochures about the G-20 countries, covering major themes of geography.

"This being related locally gives them a pride in their city, that their city is able to host such a big worldwide conference," he said.

They'll be doing this before the summit. West Mifflin Area has canceled classes during the summit because of anticipated congestion near the Allegheny County Airport.

At Quaker Valley High School, some students will be going to the Fox Chapel event and some will be involved in a simulation at their school.

In her Advanced Placement world history classes, teacher Mary Kuchek is assigning each student roles as a G-20 country, another country not part of the G-20 or protesters.

Ms. Kuchek plans to have the simulation the days of the actual summit and then to compare the students' ideas with those of the world leaders the following week.

She plans to do some less structured activities, such as general discussions about the event, in other social studies classes she teaches.

"It's a great opportunity to get 20 countries under their belts and really do some geography and economics," she said.

Meghan hopes the G-20 sparks students' interest in world affairs.

"It's important for us to become educated about what problems we're going to be dealing with in the future," she said.