utreach: Middleschool
The Marco Institute Middle School Outreach Program provides an opportunity for the Institute to use its resources to benefit the Knoxville community while furthering its intellectual and educational mission. Building on the themes already addressed in the local middle school social studies curriculum, the outreach program develops a one-hour presentation exploring more fully some area of medieval history and culture. Our 2006 presentation focused on the Vikings and their impact on continuities and discontinuities with today's 'global society.' Our 2007 presentation, titled "Sugar, Salt, Spices and Slaves," examined medieval trade networks and their cultural influence as well as their role in creating our current global economy. In spring of 2008, we offered a presentation titled "Central Asia: Nomads, Warriors and Merchants" that explored the peoples of China and Mongolia during the Middle Ages. In spring of 2009, the focus was on Renaissance Clothing and how it both reflected and defined societal roles. The upcoming spring 2010 topic will be "Reading Medieval Maps."
The presentations involve both power point slides and visual aids. They are intended to involve students in a fun and interactive discussion of medieval historical and cultural phenomena and to serve as a jumping-off point for teachers who will build on the material presented.
If you would like to arrange for a presentation, please contact Erin Read at eread1@utk.edu or by phone at (865) 974-1859.