Worlds in Motion: American Indians on the Colonial Frontier

FAIN: ED-50058-03

Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania (Pittsburgh, PA 15222-4208)
Ann Fortescue (Project Director: October 2002 to April 2007)
R. Scott Stephenson (Co Project Director: October 2002 to April 2007)

The creation of print- and web-based curriculum materials for K-12 teachers relating to the indigenous cultures of the eastern United States from the time of contact through the colonial period.

Worlds in Motion K-12 exemplary curriculum will be the outcome of a three-year collaboration among renowned scolars; American Indian historicans and educators; and a History Center team of educators, curators, and archivists. These experts wil work with 31 elementary, middle, and high school American history teachers, selected from seven states key to colonial history and the founding of the United States. Participants will devote three years to intense study (year 1); curriculum development using the Internet and New Media collaboration software (year II); well-publicized series of events surrounding the 250th Anniversary of the French and Indian War (1754-60), including a major museum traveling exhibition launched by the History Center, and a PBS documentary. This original curriculum will change perceptions of the comples and critical role played by eastern American Indians in our nation's history.