This was politics at work at the New-York Historical Society’s democracy program, with 21 sixth graders from Middle School 244 in the Bronx.
The setting was the museum’s Skylight Gallery. The question at hand, relayed by Emily Bumgardner, a museum educator, was this: Given the choice between weekly tests and no homework or daily homework and no tests, what would the students opt for?
It includes mini-lessons and activities emphasizing ancient Athens and the colonial United States, as well as modern-day activism, integrated with the museum’s exhibitions.
There are now three versions: on-site, online for students all over the country, and in the schools, taught by museum educators, Ms. Charles-Edouard said. The museum also offers professional development for teachers to use the curriculum in their classes.
Source: Tugend, A. (2023, April 26). At this museum sixth graders learn lessons in democracy. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/26/arts/design/new-york-historical-society-children-democracy-lessons.html
Analysis: This is a successful example of outreach programs from museums to schools that include multiple modes of learning. I think designing for traveling, or universal modes of learning no matter the location is a unique challenge.
