Weac Members Bring The Smithsonian To The Classroom

Two WEAC members this month studied at the Smithsonian Institute to gain hands-on experience with the museum’s researchers and resources.

Frank Devereaux, a science teacher at Fitchburg’s Savanna Oaks Middle School, and Breanna Garrison-Bruden, a second- and third-grade teacher at Oshkosh’s Webster Stanley Elementary School, traveled to Washington, D.C. November 13-17. During their visit, the teachers worked with designers, writers and curators to develop projects and lessons related to science and oral history.

During his week at the Smithsonian, Devereaux worked with geologists who are studying plate tectonics so he can bring the latest research back to his classroom. Meanwhile, Garrison-Bruden worked with a folklorist at the Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage. She hopes to use the experience to help her students research, design and build their own classroom exhibitions.

The teachers traveled as part of a pilot project between the Smithsonian and the Council of Chief State School Officers. The project aims to use the museum’s researchers and collections to help schools teach 21st century skills.

Posted November 26, 2006