Step 3: Explore Our Programs and Exhbitis
Decide which elementary, middle, and/or high school program(s) are most appropriate for your students!
Elementary School Programs
SENSITIVITY TO THE DISABLED
- Students are given the opportunity discuss with and ask all the questions they want with one of many disabled students on campus in a safe and open environment. Kids are asked to do exercises with their eyes closed and can’t escape the hour without absorbing some sensitivity and admiration for those with disabilities. A college student with a hearing disability is also available – schedule permitting. How are kids learning from this program?
- During their visit to the museum, students will explore the themes of the museum through puppetry. This activity will be introduced by a brief presentation on diversity appreciation. Then, guided by an experienced puppeteer, students will make stick puppets. Students will then work in small groups of three or four to plan a short presentation to the group. Students will base their presentations on characters, events or themes that they have seen at the museum. How are kids learning from this program?
- Visitors to the Kid Heroes room will look at kid heroes their age, listen to inspirational stories of young heroes, collaborate with classmates on who can be called a hero, and ultimately to see the heroes within.
- Our unique Aspiration to College program, allows the at-risk elementary and middle school aged youth to visit The College of New Jersey campus and receive personal tours with their college student mentors. For many of these youth, it is the only opportunity they have to walk around a college campus and become aware of the educational opportunities available to them. They are taught that: 1) just because they do not have any family members who have graduated from college, or 2) even though they feel they won’t be able to afford college, in reality, the number one barrier preventing them from attending college and receiving a higher education is …..themselves. The college students stress how the opportunities for them are endless as long as they keep the right attitude and strive for the best.
Middle School and High School Programs
DARFUR
- The Darfur exhibit facilitates engagement in issues surrounding the modern-day genocide going on in Darfur. The exhibit contains children’s artwork by children in Darfur in response to the on-going violence in their daily lives and provides a visual and powerful representation of this horrific manifestation of prejudice, discrimination and racial genocide. Empathy and empowerment exercises are an integral part of this curriculum.
- Visitors to the Kid Heroes room will look at kid heroes their age, listen to inspirational stories of young heroes, collaborate with classmates on who can be called a hero, and ultimately to see the heroes within.
- Middle school and high school students discuss and work in groups with college students in safe and structured environments. Students are taught to stand up, speak out, feel empowered, do community service, assist victims, intervene when they see bullies, be a whistle blower, and practice solving conflicts.
- In small group discussions, middle school and high school students will learn how lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered (LGBT) people are bullied in and outside of school. Student's will learn why phrases like "That's so gay" are harmful to LGBT people and even their allies. Students further learn the skills needed to educate their peers and adults back at school on the damage caused to LGBT people when hateful words and phrases are used. Students will also learn what makes a good LGBT ally. Furthermore, students address common misconceptions and stereotypes about LGBT people and learn about the diversity of LGBT people and their families as every day citizens and as celebrities.
- In small group discussions, students will learn to not always trust what is covered by the media by comparing and contrasting news reports. Students will gain the skills needed to judge what is accurate versus what might be biased news. Also, students will watch TV clips that are mean i.e. making fun of others, humiliating others, excluding others and then analyze why we watch cruelty on the TV and Internet and discuss how we should feel watching unkind, cruel behavior.
- In small group discussions, students will learn that cyberbullying exists across a broad technological spectrum such as over the phone, cell phones, computers, etc. Students will gain an understanding of what constitutes cyberbullying such as name calling, threats, verbal harassment, and so forth. Students will learn the repercussions and harms of cyberbullying both at home, within the school, and with law enforcement. Students will acquire the skills needed to address cyberbullying both within and outside the school community and be given resources needed to effectively put an end to their own or their friends' cyberbullies.