Looking for ways to connect with eductors in your area? Consider the following tips as you build your professional relationships!

Planning a School Program?

• Have clear goals in mind.
  • What do you want students to learn from a visit?
  • How can a relationship with your local education community benefit both you and the community?
  • What value-added experience are you offering?
• Establish connections between your collections and what students are responsible for learning.
  • Find links to the academic standards and essential questions at the Department of Public Instruction’s website.
  • Highlight ‘famous’ Wisconsinites! Has the Wisconsin Historical Society Press published
    Enlarge

    Dedication of Lake Ripley Ole Evinrude Historical Marker

    This marker stands near Lake Ripley, WI. View the original source document: WHI 36552

    any books featuring people from the area? For example, "Ole Evinrude and His Outboard Motor," with its connections to Lake Ripley, is available for purchase at the Cambridge Historic School.
• Be different!
  • Avoid lectures and PowerPoint presentations except as supplements. Help students discover personal connections to the past through exploration of objects in your collections.
• Observe organizations known for creating engaging educational experiences.
  • Visit Old World Wisconsin, Sheboygan County Historical Society, the Wisconsin Historical Museum, Cambridge Historic School, and other sites to gather ideas you can use.
• Your collections can be used to help teachers connect their students with new ideas in math, science, reading, and more! STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) is a popular approach to integrating core subjects with real-world examples.

Marketing your School Program?

• Consider calling or emailing school leaders. Principals, social studies teachers, and curriculum directors are most likely to respond. Find ways to contact local educators through district or school websites.
• Homeschool organizations like the Wisconsin Parents Association can help connect your organization with homeschool parents. 
• Offer special “Educator Only” events before, during, or after hours; even weekends. Show educators how your resources and collections can be used as tools in the classroom.
• Remember that every student that visits your site is an ambassador to their family and friends. Consider offering passes for free admission so they can visit again with a parent, guardian, or friend. 
• Get the word out with a flyer to the local library and school librarians. Library Media Specialists will get your information to teachers who are looking to explore history in a hands-on manner.
• Contact your local UW-Extension office for ideas on how to expand your outreach programming.

No matter what?

• Have fun! You’ll engage more students and establish deeper, more meaningful connections by presenting an enjoyable activity they can’t get anywhere else.
• Contact us for help! Kurt Griesemer, Coordinator of Primary Education at kurt.griesemer@wisconsinhistory.org or education@wisconsinhistory.org

Download the PDF