Northern Journeys: Infrastructure Design
Terry Dickey, University of Alaska Museum, USA
Roger Topp, University of Alaska Museum, USA
http://www.uaf.edu/museum/

Session: Museum Education and the Classroom

This paper explores the successes of the UA Museum Northern Journeys Project, an on-line curriculum resource, at the end of Phase II (infrastructure) and the initiatives underway for Phase III (library database integration of museum object tours). Northern Journeys incorporates the interpretation of museum objects into classroom activities to support Alaskan and national content standards. Northern Journeys' intention is to teach about Alaska through the disciplines of art, culture, history, and science. Museum objects offer multiple perspectives for these disciplines and so encourage users to learn more about differing local values and traditions as they develop a sense of who they are within the community. For subjects such as Alaskan History, the Museum objects and their interpretations represent important examples of historical events, creating a visual textbook. Developed in partnership with elementary school teachers and produced with the aid of rural educators and cultural institutions, Northern Journeys embodies the practice of community curation.