Heinz History Center Education Programs Overview 2014

Education ProgramsOverview

Mariruth LeftwichEducation Manager

maleftwich@heinzhistorycenter.org

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