Traveling Resource Trunks

School Outreach Programs:

Transforming the Field Trip

What is the Kansas Historical Society Traveling Trunk Program?

• Multiple copies of trunks• Began in early 1980s• Local control until 1999• Snapshots in time

Snapshots in Time

• 1st Generation – secondary sources• 2nd Generation – written narrative & activity ideas

tying pieces to trunk theme• 3rd Generation – lesson plans driven by content;

some interactives• 4th Generation – trunk is content driven; lessons

balance content objectives and skill objectives; contain interactives; tied to state standards

Puzzles from the Past: Problem Solving Through Archeology

Dating activity uses objects, photos of site features, a stratigraphy model, expository text cards, and note taking and time line worksheets.

Observation and inference activity uses objects, a 1/3 size footprint of a Wichita Indian grass house excavation, and a worksheet.

Puzzles from the Past: Problem Solving Through Archeology

Corps of Discovery

Creating a matrix of American Indian tribes using photos and journal entries.

Indian Homes in Kansas

Reading and map activity using objects, photos, models, a state map floor cloth, and sentence strips.

Trunk vs. Museum Visit

• More Bang for the Buck!

• Monetary• Staff time• Student attention

Trunk vs. Museum Visit

• More Bang for the Buck!

• Geographically Accessible

411 miles

208 miles

Trunk vs. Museum Visit

• More Bang for the Buck!

• Geographically Accessible

• Tailor the Experience for an Individual Fit

• Teacher controlled• Adaptable to a variety

of audiences• Adaptable to a variety

of program formats

Trunk vs. Museum Visit

• More Bang for the Buck!

• Geographically Accessible

• Tailor it for an Individual Fit

• Longer Contact Time

• Reservation length• Use with multiple

classes and grades• Student/trunk contact

Trunk vs. Museum Visit

0

5000

10000

15000

20000

25000

30000

35000

Audience Numbers

FY 2003 FY 2004 FY 2005 FY 2006 FY 2007 FY 2008

Fiscal Year

Program Use

Museum Group Visitation Traveling Trunks

0.00%

20.00%

40.00%

60.00%

80.00%

100.00%

Contact Time by Percent

MuseumGroup

Visitation

Trunks

Contact Time

<1 Hour 1-3 Hours >3 Hours

Is a traveling trunk right for you?

• Who will use it?• How will they get it?• How will they use it?• Do you have the space?• Do you have the staff to develop a trunk? To

maintain it?

Things to keep in mind when developing a trunk.

• Size• Weight• Durability• Labels• Inventory• Cost

Buy it!

• outside container

• packing containers & materials

• books, CDs, & DVDs

• objects

• reproductions

• models

Make it!

• custom packing

• sentence strips, object cards & other paper items

• labeling & laminating

• trunk manuals

• felt boards & felt board activities

• textile reproductions

Teachers

“Excellent! My students learned so much.”

“It was fabulous! It would be great if schools could purchase trunks from you or at least request that you put one together for them.”

“This was a great learning experience. I used it in an adult presentation (pieces of it) in Louisiana in hopes of encouraging their state historical society to develop these.”

Comments from Trunk Evaluations

Senior Centers

“I so much appreciate being able to check out trunks. I used it for a group of seniors at Brookside Manor. You can’t believe the memories that surface and the excellent conversations that we have! Thanks so much.”

“We used it at an assisted living facility to celebrate Kansas Historical Women’s month. One woman brought a family quilt to talk about. First time she’s ever participated in an activity, and this helped make her part of the community. Thanks very much!”

Comments from Trunk Evaluations