Course Information

2009 Spring Workshop

For our spring workshop, we looked at the importance of water in the history of the West and explored the paradoxes and conflicts around this topic and in teaching in general.

Friday, May 14

Dean Butterworth, Education and Outreach Specialist for the Olympic National Park, spoke to the group about the Elwha Restoration Project and the educational resources the park is creating. Explore the History & Culture of the Park, along with the Restoration Project, online through the National Park Service.

Additionally, we discussed some framing for the presentation on Year 3 projects, which should address the original prompt of "developing, deepening, and documenting a piece of your work that connects in a meaningful way to your learning journey in Our Place in History; and creating a way of sharing your work with others that serves you and inspires others," as well as a paradox in teaching (see Parker Palmer page 76-77 for more info) or history that you encountered in the project. Finally, everyone should bring a product (in an electronic format) that was created during the project to share with the group.

David encouraged the group to check out the documentary Flow.

Teresa mentioned the series on KPLU which explores tribal economies, and includes a look at the recovery of the Celilo economy after the building of The Dalles Dam. She also talked about donorschoose.org as a source for classroom grants.

Saturday, May 15

Jerry Frielich, Research Coordinator for the Olympic National Park, talked to us about the issues, opportunities, and consequences of the Elwha Restoration Project.

LaTrisha Suggs, Elwha River Restoration Assistant Director for the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe, spoke to the group about the tribe's relationship to the river, and the impact of the Restoration Project.