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“Education Beyond the Classroom 2016” a success with teachers

Molly Hamilton Jun 08, 2016

Nearly 100 teachers from across the state of South Carolina came to Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum this week for “Education Beyond the Classroom” – the fifth annual teacher’s recertification conference hosted onboard the USS Yorktown.  The two-day program informs, engages and inspires educators through a series of workshops that also earn each participant 20 recertification credits.

The two days of this recertification conference kept the participants engaged almost constantly against the backdrop of a historic aircraft carrier that began its service in World War II. Patriots Point Institute of History, Science and Technology Program Coordinator Cindy Clark said, “This is not a sit and take notes type of teacher recertification.  We keep them on the move from the time they arrive to the time they leave.”

Teachers arrived for the two-day conference on June 7.  On the first day, workshops included hands-on science exploration into the coastal ecology; a World War II lesson on the historic destroyer of the U.S. Navy, the USS Laffey; learning more about the attack on Pearl Harbor with a trip through the Medal of Honor Museum; and an informative session offered by Mary Huffman, the National History Teacher of the Year, on how to encourage learning through hands-on activities in all curriculums.  Additional presentations on the first day covered the areas of leadership and the importance of literacy.  Charleston County School District Superintendent Dr. Gerrita Postlewait delivered an informative presentation on the importance of communication to effective leadership.

More than half of the conference attendees chose to spend the night onboard the USS Yorktown and truly got the full historical experience of life onboard a historic aircraft carrier. “It was really exciting to see the most participation we have ever seen in staying overnight,” said Clark.  Seventy-two participants chose to sleep onboard the ship and get the full experience of sleeping as the sailors once did.

The second day of the conference began with a presentation on the latest ways to use technology in the classroom to enhance learning.  Workshop sessions following this presentation demonstrated the ways the Education Department at Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum is using innovation and hands-on interaction to engage students in new and exciting ways. Teachers explored space using cutting-edge Occulus Rift technology, took to the air in flight simulators, learned about topography with an augmented reality sandbox, and participated in a top-secret mission as part of the famous World War II Doolittle Raids.

Teachers seem to appreciate that the conference workshops  were as interesting as they were informative.  Jocelyn Nelson, a teacher at Lake Marion High School and Technology Center in Santee, SC attended this year as she has for four of the past five years it was offered.  Nelson said, “I enjoy every year I come. I think it’s a good way that teachers from all over can come together and compare notes.”  She really enjoyed experiencing the use of hands-on technology to teach concepts to students. “Kids participate more and learn more when education is hands on.  They are able to really make it their own and this is good for retention of what they are learning,” said Nelson.

Clark mentioned that many teachers are already asking about when they can register for next year.  The conference will certainly be offered again and the goal each year is to make it a little different and more interesting every time.  The next conference will likely be in June 2017 and registration will begin sometime in the new year.  Stay tuned to our website for more information.

More photos from Day 2 of “Education Beyond the Classroom:”