Education Programs Overview Mariruth Leftwich Education Manager maleftwich@heinzhistoryce nter.org
Nov 19, 2014
Welcome
The Senator John Heinz History Center is . . .
•An affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution•Largest history museum in Pennsylvania•Oldest cultural institution in the region, preserving our region’s history since 1879•Devoted to American history with a Western Pennsylvania connection•YOUR home for social studies education resources
New Education Programs
Experience History Historic Characters bring history to life Hands-on activities encourage experiential
learning Artifact and source analysis promotes inquiry Local connections increase relevance
New Exhibition Programs
Pittsburgh’s Lost Steamboat: Treasures of the Arabia
Pittsburgh: Gateway to the West Unearthing the Arabia Journey of the Arabia distance learning
We Can Do It!: WWII Forging Freedom United We Stand Curriculum Package
STEM: Connecting History & Science
6 new sessions that will be piloted this Fall
Include hands-on activities that connect the history of innovation and invention in Pittsburgh with STEM skills
Utilizes our collection in exciting new ways
Tours
Guided Tours - New Themes:
- Pittsburgh’s Pastimes- Making a Mark- Pittsburgh at War
Self-guided Tours - New materials to support these visits
Eyewitness to History
Source analysis, student facilitated interviews, and group discussions.
At the History Center or your school
Themes:- Military Veterans: Trials & Tribulations of War- The 1960s: The Decade that Rocked America
Programs for Educators
Act 48 Workshops Interactive History George Washington’s Mt.
Vernon A World on Fire Regional Differences in Slavery Social Studies & STEM Preserving the Personal World War II Homefront Forging Freedom: Wartime
Steel Excellence in Practice
Conference
National History Day
National History Day (NHD) is a year-long program that engages students in grades 6-12 in the process of discovery and interpretation of historical topics.
Students produce dramatic performances, imaginative exhibits, multimedia documentaries, websites, and research papers based on research related to an annual theme.
These projects are then evaluated at local, state, and national competitions.
National History DayTEACHES critical thinking, writing, and research skills and boosts performance across all subjects. PREPARES students for college, career and citizenship.
INSPIRES students to do more than they ever thought they could.
On nearly every measure, NHD
students’ scores or ratings were higher
than their peers who did not
participate in the program.
- Kickoff event at the History Center for students October 8 and 9
- February Registration Deadlines- Regional Competition March 14 and
15, 2015
Online Resourceswww.heinzhistorycenter.org/classroom
Additional Educator Opportunities
Open Houses Meadowcroft, Sept. 13
Additional Educator Opportunities
Open Houses Fort Pitt Museum, Sept. 17
Join our Educator Network
Join our FREE Educators' Network and receive:• Regular e-newsletters
that include lesson plans and instructional content
• A 10% Museum Shop coupon
• Opportunities to get involved in the development of educational sessions and resources