News Release

2021 State History Award Recipient!

Chuck Estep Filming Pam Puccetti during field trip

NPS Photo

News Release Date: September 15, 2021

Contact: Dennis Moore, 734-243-7136

2021 Historical Society of Michigan State History Award Recipient for Education: Educational Programs—"Virtual Field Trip Partnerships" hosted by the River Raisin National Battlefield Park/Monroe County Intermediate School District.

River Raisin National Battlefield Park and Monroe County Intermediate School District combined existing interpretive, administrative and technological assets to produce an entertaining, historically rich series of spring 2021 virtual field trips. Primarily focused on Michigan Territory in the early 19^th century, the presentations adhered closely to State social studies standards and generated enthusiastic participation by approximately 2,300 students in 88 classrooms.
 

River Raisin National Battlefield Park News Release 

Release Date:    Immediate 

Contact:               Jami Keegan, Chief of Interpretation & Education
                                [phone] 

Recipient of 2021 Historical Society of Michigan Educational Program Award 

Monroe, Michigan – Jami Keegan, the Chief of Interpretation & Education is proud to announce the Park is being honored as the 2021 Historical Society of Michigan State History Award Recipient for Education: Educational Programs for their 2021 "Virtual Field Trip Partnerships" hosted by the River Raisin National Battlefield Park and the Monroe County Intermediate School District. 

River Raisin National Battlefield Park and Monroe County Intermediate School District  combined existing interpretive, administrative and technological assets to produce an entertaining, historically rich series of a five-week spring virtual field trip experience.  Primarily focused on Michigan Territory in the early 19^th century, the presentations adhered closely to State social studies standards and generated enthusiastic participation by approximately 2,300 students in 88 classrooms. 

River Raisin National Battlefield Park and Monroe County Intermediate School District feel that our efforts present a desirable model in program planning and execution, qualifying us for consideration for the Educational Programs Award.   

• Two like-minded institutions created a successful working partnership. 
• The structural plan was produced on a limited timeline, using existing resources and incurring no additional costs. 
• Social studies list serves for Monroe and Wayne County teachers assured comprehensive distribution of marketing/registration materials. 
• Interpretations effectively combined theatrical vitality with Michigan’s rich history while fully complying with State standards. 
• Guidance on chat options helped stimulate student and teacher engagement. 
• Participation numbers were impressive, and critical response was supportive, with insightful suggestions for refinement. 

The successful spring 2021 virtual field trip project created a reliable, manageable template for the River Raisin and Monroe ISD partnership to produce effective virtual educational experiences in the future.  This template can be modified to suit our different audiences, and it has strong potential value for other historical and educational institutions. 

A key to successful program marketing was assurance that presentations would comply with State education standards for social studies.  River Raisin’s field trips were already known for that compliance (as well as generating student and teacher enthusiasm), and the partnership with MCISD reinforced to teachers the value of the virtual field trips to their students. 

Teachers registered their classes (mostly 3^rd, 4^th, and 5^th grades) for one or more of the 45-minute live-streamed presentations, which were offered from early May until early June.  The two-person tech crew consisted of the ISD Social Studies Consultant as Zoom technician and hand-held cell phone videographer; and a Park Ranger, as tech backup and gopher.  Each presentation’s ‘cast’ consisted of the Park Ranger, delivering welcoming remarks; the Social Studies Consultant, the engaging and inquisitive facilitator; and the highlighted interpreter.