We have an outreach suitcase program with one suitcase for each "era"  
of our history. For years, docents took them to schools. Recently,  
though, we've been letting teachers check out the materials. We live  
in a small community, so they just drive over here and pick them up.  
So far, we've had good luck with everything being returned.

The kids love the hands-on aspects of the suitcases, such as getting  
to try on a real World War II uniform and looking a real piece of  
trinitite (even though it's encased in glass). This summer, we hired a  
4th grade teacher to go through the suitcases and bring them up to  
date, such as putting the slides onto CDs and jumpdrives. She put  
together information for teachers on how they help meet state  
standards. She also did some vocabulary words and suggested reading  
lists that have greatly enhanced the usability.

You can find more information about the program on our website at  
http://www.losalamoshistory.org/suitcases.htm. Please let me know if I  
can help with any specific questions.


Heather McClenahan, museum assistant/web master
Los Alamos Historical Society
http://www.losalamoshistory.org
[log in to unmask]
PO Box 43
1050 Bathtub Row (Note: same location, new address)
Los Alamos, NM 87544
505-662-6272 (office)
505-470-2912 (cell)
Quoting Aaron Preston <[log in to unmask]>:

> I have been charged with starting a new discovery trunk program.  It  
>  like I can go one of a few ways: docents take trunks into  
> classroom;  museum checks out trunks to schoool districts; museum  
> mails trunks  to schools upon request.
>
> Could anyone elaborate on the pitfalls of any of these options?  To   
> include everything in the trunks to make them exceptional: repros;   
> educational supplements; teacher packets; drives up the cost even   
> more.  It seems like mailing the trunks and docent travel would be   
> the most costly, but perhaps more effective.
>
> Any tips on keeping costs of production low, and standards high?
>
> Aaron Preston
> Education Coordinator
> Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center
> 507 S. 4th Street
> Enid, Oklahoma 73701
>
>
> =========================================================
> Important Subscriber Information:
>
> The Museum-L FAQ file is located at   
> http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed   
> information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail  
>  message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message   
> should read "help" (without the quotes).
>
> If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail   
> message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message   
> should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).
>

=========================================================
Important Subscriber Information:

The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes).

If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).