Students connect past events with present-day issues
Teachers may also facilitate their own “youth summits” anytime between September 21 and October 12, using learning resources and videos provided free to all registered educators. The Fort Worth Museum of Science and History is one of twelve Smithsonian Affiliate organizations hosting regional youth summits with local activists, scholars, and youth. The Museum will host its Summit on Gender and Equity at Texas Christian University on October 7 at 1 PM alongside Dr. Jeannine Gailey as part of her Gender and Society class.
“We are excited to be selected as one of the 12 institutions to host Regional Youth Summits,” said Dr. Deborah Cockerham, Director of the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History’s Research and Learning Center. “The historical investigations and livestreamed content provided by the Smithsonian will support our students in examining issues of gender, bias, and equity. We look forward to the conversations and positive actions generated by the project.”
Anchored by a series of diverse historical narratives addressing the fight for gender equity, the 2021 National Youth Summit will examine how the construction of gender and gendered expectations have impacted young people across time and space and how this has created deep-seated biases and inequities. The Summit will feature talks and discussions with scholars, historians, and activists. Beginning with an introduction by Anthea M. Hartig, the Elizabeth MacMillan Director of the National Museum of American History, the schedule will include panel discussions and workshops featuring notable speakers including:
- Minnijean Brown-Trickey, one of the Little Rock Nine teens who worked to desegregate Central High School
- Marcia Chatelain, Professor of History and African American Studies at Georgetown University
- Professional skateboarders Cindy Whitehead and Judi Oyama
- Smithsonian Curator Katherine Ott
Since the program was launched in 2011, the National Youth Summit has engaged more than 65,000 live viewers and many more through the archived programs. Some 4,000 students are expected to participate in virtual discussions facilitated by their educators, the Smithsonian and Smithsonian Affiliate museums nationwide.
The National Youth Summit is made possible by the A. James and Alice B. Clark Foundation and the Patrick F. Taylor Foundation K-12 Learning Endowment and is part of a larger Smithsonian initiative focused on civic engagement intended to help Americans understand the past in order to make sense of the present and to shape a more informed future.
About Smithsonian Affiliations
Established in 1996, Smithsonian Affiliations is a national outreach program that develops long-term collaborative partnerships with museums, educational, and cultural organizations to enrich communities with Smithsonian resources. The long-term goal of Smithsonian Affiliations is to facilitate a two-way relationship among Affiliate organizations and the Smithsonian Institution to increase discovery and inspire lifelong learning in communities across America. More information about the Smithsonian Affiliations program and Affiliate activity is available at www.affiliations.si.edu.
About the National Museum of American History
Through incomparable collections, rigorous research and dynamic public outreach, the National Museum of American History seeks to empower people to create a more just and compassionate future by examining, preserving and sharing the complexity of our past. The museum, located on Constitution Avenue N.W., between 12th and 14th streets, is open Friday through Tuesday between 10 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Admission is free and timed-entry passes are no longer required. The doors of the museum are always open online and the virtual museum continues to expand its offerings, including online exhibitions, K–12 educational materials and programs. The public can follow the museum on social media on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. For more information, go to https://americanhistory.si.edu. For Smithsonian information, the public may call (202) 633-1000.
The Fort Worth Museum of Science and History, a distinguished institution established in 1941, is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums and proudly holds Affiliate status with the Smithsonian Institute. Anchored by a diverse and enriching collection spanning science and history, the museum is committed to lifelong learning. Engaging visitors through vibrant programs and exhibits, it interprets the rich tapestry of Texas and the Southwest. The museum’s commitment to education is reflected in its innovative programs, designed to inspire and educate learners of all ages. From interactive workshops to immersive exhibits, the museum provides a dynamic environment for curiosity and intellectual growth. For more information about educational programs, exhibits, and events, visit www.fwmuseum.org.
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