A curricular focus on Civics and History topics
The resources and techniques will support classroom educators, librarians, and media specialists seeking effective, integrated ways to bring project-based learning into their students’ lives. A curricular focus on Civics and History topics will set students up for success in National History Day-style projects at the elementary, middle, and high school levels.
Lodging and travel expenses for those traveling more than 50 miles to attend the workshop will be provided. Meals will be provided to all participants.
This workshop is primarily focused on the needs of upper elementary school educators, and we encourage teams from the same school to register. Registration is open to all K-12 (and aspiring K-12 teachers).
Schedule
Sunday, August 9
| 1 - 4 p.m. | Arrive in Laramie and check into the Hilton Garden Inn Shuttle Departs Hotel for Separate Dining Room. |
| 4 p.m. | Welcome and Workshop overview Brie Blasi |
| 4:30 p.m. | Why We're Here Allison Wickens |
| 5 p.m. | What is Project-Based Learning Joanne Mai |
| 5:15 p.m. | Break and Walk to the Wyoming Woman's History House |
| 5:30 p.m. | Sound Mapping Activity and Tour of the Wyoming Women's History House |
| 6:30 p.m. | Dinner |
| 7:30 p.m. | Dessert and Stroll |
Monday, August 10
7:45 am | Shuttle departs Hilton Garden Inn for UW American Heritage Center |
| 8 a.m. | What Civic Habits Do Students Practice When They Do History? Allison Wickens |
| 9 a.m. | Play/Program Discussion and the ReStrorying the West Program Discussion Will Bowling and Aubrey Edwards |
| 12 p.m. | Lunch and Learn: Media Literacy Allison Wickens |
| 1 p.m. | Break |
| 1:15 p.m. | Travel on Shuttle Bus from Hotel to Cheyenne |
| 2:15 p.m. | Tour the State Capital and Visit the Civics Lab |
| 3:30 p.m. | Choose your Adventure: Tour State Museum, State Archives and/or Historic Governor’s Mansion |
| 5 p.m. | Dinner at Bella Fuoco Pizzeria |
| 6 p.m. | Visit Cheyenne Depot Plaza |
| 6:45 p.m. | Travel on Shuttle from Cheyenne back to Hotel |
Tuesday, August 11
7:45 am | Shuttle departs Hilton Garden Inn for UW American Heritage Center |
| 8 a.m. | Breakfast and Introduction to Resources K-5 Track: Laramie Elementary Teachers 6-12 Track: Shoshoni & Jackson Secondary Teachers |
| 9 a.m. | Look at AHC Exhibits and Mount Vernon Resources for Teaching about American History |
| 10 a.m. | Make an Exhibit and Research Discussion |
| 11:30 a.m. | Lunch & Learn with the UW Art Museum |
| 12:30 p.m. | Team Building with an Exhibit Creation Session |
| 2 p.m. | Reflection: What did you learn? What do you need? |
| 2:45 p.m. | Next Steps! |
| 3 p.m. | Wrap Up and Post Program Evaluation |
Registration Requirements
Who can register?
- Teachers MUST teach in a formal K-12 classroom or school setting.
- The workshop is limited to 40 teachers.
- A waitlist will be available if registration meets full capacity.
Questions? Please contact [email protected]
Meet the Educators
Joanne Mai
Brigida Blasi
Brigida R. (Brie) Blasi is the Head of Education and Outreach at the University of Wyoming’s American Heritage Center, where she oversees instruction, exhibits, public programming, and the Wyoming History Day program. She holds a BA in Humanities/Fine Arts from the University of Wyoming (UW), an MA in History with an emphasis in Public History from New Mexico State University, and an MS in Library Science from the University of North Texas. She is also part of UW’s inaugural cohort of a PhD program in Public Humanities. Brie has spent her career working in museums, historic sites, archives, and in historic preservation. Her specialties have been in curation, museum and nonprofit management, underrepresented histories of the im/migrant US West, and local and family history research.
Allison Wickens
K. Allison Wickens, Vice President for Education, joined George Washington’s Mount Vernon in the summer of 2014. She currently leads the Education and Guest Services division and oversees the learning goals for the institution for onsite, offsite, and digital outreach programs.
She represents Mount Vernon in national discussions about museums, historic sites, and how they relate to history and civics education today.
Before arriving at Mount Vernon, she had been at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Postal Museum, serving as their Director of Education and Visitor Services. She received her Master’s Degree in History at the University of Colorado, Boulder where she got a certificate in Museum Studies.
Between her undergraduate work at Grinnell College and graduate school, she lived and worked in Washington, D.C. at a wide variety of Smithsonian museums and offices.
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