| I DIG HISTORY IN THE CLASSROOM AND COMMUNITY |
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About the Program
The Benjamin Harrison Societies Digging in Grounds (DIG) History program isdedicated to the investigation, interpretation, and better understanding of our heritage, science, geography, history, mapping and archaeology in our nation, and beyond. BHS seeks to engage local and visiting communities while exploring the dynamic story of our nation and the world. American citizens and citizens around the world are interested in archaeology and how scientist reveals what lies in our past and what lays ahead in our future. We have always relied on water for the transportation of people, goods, and ideas, and the sea has provided sustenance and livelihoods for countless generations of maritime communities. Citizens are interested in preserving the history of our harbors, our inland waterways, and proximity to global shipping routes and the role of historical European settlements in the present-day United States.
Marine activities have always shaped the lives of the diverse groups who have lived and traveled here beginning with the historical voyage of Christopher Columbus, the trade and travel of the Native American, free and slaved Africans and African Americans. The prehistoric Native American economy was dependant on fishing and long-distance trade via dugout canoes. Starting in the 16th century, French, Spanish, and English colonists brought new maritime traditions to America, and their governments used ships, coastal forts, and sea power to expand trade and maintain their competitive transatlantic empires. Enslaved Africans were forced to the New World in European ships, but they brought with them memories of a rich maritime past on West African river deltas, and many used the waterways to travel and to prosperity in America. Eighteenth-century ships like the Grand Turk imported goods from around the world prior to America’s first war of independence. Seamans who fought for freedom and are known as patriots of the American Revolution—Aaron Grigsby who was captured by the British and was a prisoners of War and Commodore Joshua Barney who fought for our freedom in the American Revolution and the War of 1812.
BHS scientist, technologist, engineers, curators, conservationist, chemist, botanist, cartographers, and archaeologists aim to identify, investigate, and preserve the physical remains of these and other aspects of our national and world heritage.
BHS manages an active research program, using historical documents and maps land to discover new historical sites, and partnering with government, museums, and organizations to investigate and monitor sites already known. In addition, BHS is dedicated to geography, mathematics, science, technology and maintains a robust program of public outreach and education. This includes ongoing speaking engagements, archaeological excavations, museum exhibits, and training workshops. Volunteers participate at every stage of our operations with lab work, museum exhibits, collections mathematics, science and technology through internships and our DIG History programs.
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PROJECT SUMMARY
Benjamin Harrison Society (BHS) supports hands on archaeology in the classroom and community. BHS has developed an I DIG HISTORY student lesson plans and teacher guide as part their IDIG History project and Summer Institute 2009.
Today, I DIG History students and teachers may tour Fort McHenry, historical landmarks and places in Washington, D.C. via the I DIG HISTORY webcam without leaving their classroom. They can experience the life of a soldier or piece together the past by examining historic artifacts at Bladensburg, Maryland from their computers in the classroom. Through these various I DIG HISTORY educational programs students will begin to unravel the conflicting interests of Native Americans, European empires, and the desires of a young country. Students across America and the world may take part in historical archeological excavation through the I DIG History Program. I DIG History Student lesson plans and Teacher's guide are available by clicking the I DIG HISTORY icon button. Students will be able to view excavation projects and communicate with the archeologist and other students live via the I DIG History webcam. They will engage in live classroom and on site discussions, ask questions and discuss archeological techniques with archeologist from their classroom. Students will learn about:
Historical Places and Sites in Washington, D.C.
GIS and Historical Maps.
Share Their Ideas, Thoughts and Memories of the War of 1812.
The "I DIG History" Project :
Integrates presentation, discussion, and hands-on learning via the internet. Students gain a better understanding of and appreciation for the struggles faced by early American's. Explore the battlegrounds and historical routes, buildings and monuments. Students will step into the lives of some of the most influential people during the War of 1812.
(1) Students may take a walk up historical routes, and a step back into the 18th Century and travel historical routes during the Washington-Rochambeau Route, the route of William Henry Harrison "Tippecanoe Battle" to historical routes from India to New York via the webcam.
(2) Learn how to identify three styles of 19th century architecture in historical districts and discover the people who lived in these impressive homes and buildings.
The I DIG HISTORY Project allows students to participate in a guided look at the archaeological sites live via the webcam. Students to participate in live excavation from around the world. They interact with archaeologist directly in the field, ask questions and receive feedback through the use of a webcam .
The Benjamin Harrison Society collaborates with organizations and other States in order to make the I DIG History hands on project available for all students, teachers, and parents. Our goal is to support geography, engineering, archaeology, and reading (GEARS) educational programs and the use of web base technology The focus of "Teaching History Using Archeology and GIS Technology" train students in how to use original sources from the archeological site in an interactive electronic classroom. Participants learn about history while mastering essential geography, engineering, mathematics, science, GIS, and computer skills. The art of teaching can be fundamentally improved by computers; teachers' organizational methods and presentations can be revolutionized if teachers possess the right skills and equipment. Technology and GIS, when fully integrated into classroom activities, also provide the means for teachers to prepare their students to meet the challenges of the future.
Since 1995, the Benjamin Harrison Society has worked with educators and students to develop scientific and GIS based community atlases, and maps. Teaching using geography, arithmetic, engineering, and reading along with a GIS base technology program combines historical content instruction with effective teaching strategies for the modern classroom environment. Participating parents, teachers and their students received advanced content lesson plans. The I DIG HISTORY Project activities help students to develop critical thinking skills essential to evaluating the vast amount of information now available through the information superhighway.
Web technology has the ability to greatly improve the way in which teachers and students access original source materials, organize their classroom activities, and participate in collaborative learning experiences. The I Dig History (IDH) Initiative has taken advantage of technology in the production of educational materials in partnership with Benjamin Harrison Society. The IDH /GIS Initiative team has already established pilot teaching sites and begun training teachers in their use in 2007. Recent advances in web technology, especially related to the Internet, have permitted social studies materials of instruction to be presented and worked with on-screen in an electronic classroom, anywhere in the county. In this context, a computer is not just a passive delivery device but a framework for creative activities for teachers and their students.
Teaching strategies developed in this program are in accordance with the most advanced instruction and assessment practices. Our electronic classroom promotes interaction between the instructor and the students and among the students themselves; among experts and the students using personal computers and Web Base technology. Collaborative learning is a fundamental element in this educational environment. The I DIG History and GIS Initiative encourages interdisciplinary approaches and includes materials for multi-cultural studies. "Teaching in the Age of Web Base Technology" will meet the goals of mastering content, improving analytical skills, and achieving a comfortable familiarity with science, engineering, geography, history, GIS and computer technology.
Click on the Webcam to travel to the excavation Site!
Teachers, please click to download the I DIG History Student lesson plans and the teacher's guide!
Parents may click and download the Parents and Family Activity Guides. All participants are required to join the I DIG HISTORY TEACHERS OR I DIG HISTORY PARENTS AND FAMILY GROUP prior to downloading guides. Registration is required so that we can keep you up-to-date with our newsletter and activity updates. Downloading guides and joining the I DIG HISTORY PROJECT and our groups is free to teachers and parents.
Please Click to Join Your Group:
Click to join the I DIG HISTORY Group:
Click Teachers Group!
Click Parents and Family Group!
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Upcoming I DIG History
Burning of Washington Project 2009
War of 1812 GIS Maps
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