Teacher-to-Teacher Summer Workshops

The U.S. Department of Education is pleased to report that the now completed Teacher-to-Teacher Summer Workshops were a huge success. More than 2,000 teachers participated in six workshops throughout the country, receiving high-quality professional development in a host of subjects.

At each workshop teachers were treated to an evening at a local museum or cultural institution, thanks to generous support from our sponsors, Scholastic Inc. and Target Corp. The visits provided teachers with valuable classroom materials and information geared to improve and enhance classroom instruction. Below, you will find information about and Web links to these institutions, which have online resources for you and your students.

Corcoran Gallery of Art
500 17th St. N.W.
Washington, DC 20006
Web site: http://www.corcoran.org

The Corcoran Gallery of Art contains over 1,400 pieces of art, acquired over more than 100 years.

Highlights:

2005 Scholastic Art and Writing Awards displayed virtually: http://www.corcoran.org/exhibitions/Exhib_current.asp?Exhib_ID=135#

Florida Aquarium
701 Channelside Dr.
Tampa, FL 33602
Web site: http://www.flaquarium.org

Throughout the Florida aquarium marine and animal life are present to view and admire, and even two areas where one can reach out and touch marine life.

Highlights:

Back-to-school event July 30th: http://www.flaquarium.org/html/BacktoSchool.html

Coral Reef Underwater Web Cam: http://webcamsflaquarium.org/english/camera2.htm

Heard Museum
2301 N. Central Ave.
Phoenix, AZ 85004
Web site: http://www.heard.org/NETCOMMUNITY/Page.aspx?&pid=183&srcid=-2

The Heard Museum has an amazing collection of American Indian items. Native American history is clearly explained, and docents are prepared to clarify and answer questions. A section of the museum reserved for students, which provides hands-on activities to supplement the information displayed in the museum.

Highlights:

Current exhibits: http://www.heard.org/NETCOMMUNITY/Page.aspx?&pid=363&srcid=183

National Underground Railroad Freedom Center
50 East Freedom Way
Cincinnati, OH 45202
Web site: http://www.freedomcenter.org

The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center provides its visitors with an opportunity to see the journeys that African Americans have made. Click on the virtual tour to tour the museum online and learn about each of the featured exhibits. In addition to the excellent videos and displays, there are many hands-on activities for participants.

Highlights:

Take a virtual tour: http://www.freedomcenter.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.viewPage&
page_id=2F3B02E7-D0B7-88DE-944DBBB4DF07674F

Science Museum of Minnesota
120 West Kellogg Blvd.
St. Paul, MN 55102
Web site: http://www.smm.org

The Science Museum of Minnesota provides many opportunities for hands-on activities, especially in the featured exhibit of Animal Grossology. Here, students can learn about the characteristics of animals. Visit their Web site to learn about slime-makers, bloodsuckers, vomit-munchers, and dookie-lovers.

Highlights:

Animal Grossology: http://www.smm.org/grossology/top.php

The Tech Museum of Innovation
201 South Market St.
San Jose, CA 95113
Web site: http://www.thetech.org

The Tech Museum of Innovation is a hands-on technology and science museum for people of all ages and backgrounds.

Highlights:

Study genetics: http://www.thetech.org/exhibits/online/ugenetics

Robotics study: http://www.thetech.org/exhibits/online/robotics

More information about the U.S. Department of Education's Teacher-to-Teacher Initiative is available at our web site:

www.ed.gov/teachers/how/tools/initiative/about/information.html.