Venture's focus: History, the arts
The Butler Center for Arkansas Studies is partnering with the U.S. secretary of state's office and other entities to start an education initiative aimed at developing innovative curriculum for high school art, language and history classes.
"This innovative public-private partnership will initially work with up to 30 Arkansas teachers and school librarians teaching 7th-12th grade students in the fields of art, English language arts and social studies to develop innovative curriculum that brings history to life and shares the importance of stewardship and civic engagement during the 2015-16 school year," a news release said.
The application period ends April 28. Stipends will be provided to those selected. To apply, visit crystalbridges.org/arkansas-declaration-of-learning-application/.
In addition to Secretary of State John Kerry, the Butler Center is partnering with Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, the Arkansas Department of Education and the U.S. Department of State's Diplomatic Reception Rooms for the program.
Arkansas is the first state to participate in the initiative. Other states have applied.
The program is part of a national inter-agency educational initiative that began when 14 national organizations signed the "Declaration of Learning" in 2012.
Teachers will develop tools and best practices working with historic objects, artwork and primary sources from the collections of the participating partners. Selected participants will start the program with a three-day seminar in July. They will share their results in the fall of 2016.
Cleanup day set at Fourche Creek
A cleanup at Fourche Creek in observance of Earth Day is scheduled for Saturday.
The cleanup will be from 8 a.m. to noon. Volunteers will meet at Benny Craig Park at 4610 Gum Springs Road for the Keep Little Rock Beautiful-sponsored event.
Volunteers will pick up litter near the creek at the park and upstream near University Avenue. Gloves, trash bags and safety vests will be provided.
Participants are asked to wear boots, waders or old shoes. Anyone who owns a canoe or kayak can take it to pick up floating trash and float downstream from the park, organizer Dan Scheiman said.
Metro on 04/19/2015