The African American Civil War Museum announced the date for its second Museum Passport to Freedom Festival, an annual event that welcomes students back to school.
Educators have given the festival high marks for helping to form a framework for teaching African-American history in the classroom, said Frank Smith, the museum’s founding director.
“We’ve had a number of successes with the outreach program,” Smith said. “In addition to the educational materials provided to teachers, the museum has instituted several interactive activities, such as Museum Passport to Freedom, influenced by research from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, that shows children who visit museums score higher on achievement tests in math, reading and science. The activities are designed to promote critical thinking, listening and analytical skills.”
The festival is a part of the Encouraging Students to Visit the Museum Outreach Program, which more than 2,000 students have participated in since its inception in December.
The Aug. 19 festival, which takes place from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Northwest museum, includes a host of fun games, activities, music and food. During the event, parents can also pick up free school supplies, while they last, for their children.