Ask Me Anything

Knowledge comes in many forms

• academic (things you learn from a book)
• practical (things you learn by doing)
• cultural (things you learn from a community of people)

• personal (things you learn through your own experience)

Everybody has knowledge, but none of us have all of it. In order to fully understand the diverse meanings of a place and its history, it can be helpful to access multiple types of knowledge from multiple people.

 

Part 1 - Watch One

Choose a video from Tumacácori’s Ask Me Anything video library below.
Respond to the questions:

• (I saw…) Whose video did you watch, and what were they discussing?
• (I learned…) What did you learn from the speaker?
• (I noticed…) What techniques did the video-maker use to help you understand the subject? For example, did they use still photographs? Captions? Music? Multiple camera angles?
• (I wonder…) What follow-up questions would you ask the speaker if you could talk to them?

 

Georgina Jacquez

I am an Interpreter, AMA

Georgina Jacquez describes how her family's relationship with the outdoors inspired a career as a national park ranger.

Dorien Scheets

I love Bats (and Crafts!), AMA

Volunteer Dorien goes literally "hands-on" when celebrating her favorite flying mammals.

Drew Jackson

I am a Scientist, AMA

Drew Jackson protects dark night skies. For plants, animals, history, and humans.

Laura Kelly

I am a Gardener, AMA

Laura joins a long and glorious history of gardening at Tumacácori.

Rick Collins

I do Living History, AMA.

Sometimes the best way to learn about the past is to dress the part. Ranger Rick explores early park history in costume.

Nubia Amaya

I am a Folklórico Dancer, AMA

Nubia Amaya grew up dancing folklórico at Tumacácori's annual Fiesta. Today, she teaches the next generation of dancers.

Lionel Pando

I like Chocolate, AMA

Lionel likes to celebrate special occasions by sharing a batch of champurrado -- a traditional, warm, chocolate treat.

Pancho the Vermilion Flycatcher

I am the Park Mascot, AMA

Even creatures who don't speak can still respond to interview questions!

Anita Badertscher

I am a Historian, AMA

Anita's been through nearly every mission record, photograph, and park document there is.

Roberta Rogers

I am an Artist, AMA

Roberta says you won't hurt anyone by trying. So go for it! Paint the church.

Terry Allen

I am a Lifelong Learner, AMA

No one is born an expert. Terry was curious about the paint inside of the church, so she learned everything she could about it!

 

Part 2 - Do One

Option 1: Choose a person in your family or community who has knowledge to share. (Remember that there are all kinds of knowledge!) What would you like to learn from this person?

Option 2: Contact Tumacácori National Historical Park by email or phone [phone]) to set up an interview with a subject-matter expert. You may be able to ask follow-up questions of the person whose interview you’ve already seen in Part 1!

Prepare for the Interview

1. Arrange a time and place. Consider choosing somewhere quiet and comfortable.

• in-person
• over the telephone
• online (your school’s platform, Skype, Facetime, Zoom, StoryCorps, etc.)

2. Make sure both parties have the proper recording equipment and connectivity.

• If you working online, can everyone access the platform?
• Does anyone need a microphone or headphones?
• If you are taking a video, do you need a tripod or a surface to stabilize your camera?

3. Prepare your questions. Consider what you’d like to know about.

• Are you drawing on their knowledge of a particular subject?
• Are you asking them to show you something or demonstrate?
• What language are you both using?
• Will you be asking about their life experiences? Personal memories?

Feeling stumped about what to ask? Take a look at StoryCorps’s list of Great Questions!

 

Tips for a Great Conversation (from StoryCorps)

1. Plan Your Questions
Before you record anything, plan your questions and share them ahead of time with your partner. This simple preparation will help you get the most out of your time together.

2. Ask Warm-Up Questions
Press the record button and introduce yourself and your partner. Then ask a few simple warm-up questions, like “Where were you born?” or “How do we know each other?”

3. Ask Open-Ended Questions
Avoid questions that can be answered with a “yes” or a “no.” Instead, use language like “Tell me about…” or “What was it like when…” This lets the storyteller steer you toward what is most important to them.

4. Ask Follow-Up Questions
Be prepared to ask follow-ups if you’re curious about something. If you’d like to hear more, try “And then what happened?” or “How did that make you feel?” or “What were you thinking in that moment?”

5. Think of It as a Conversation
Use your selected questions as a guide, not a script. If your partner goes off topic, go with it. You can redirect them to your original question later. Think of it as a conversation; there’s no right or wrong thing to talk about, as long as it’s meaningful to you.

6. Tell a Story
Don’t hesitate to tell a story of your own. This can be a time to share a memory or describe why you want to record with your partner today.

7. Set Up Context
Keep in mind that future listeners may not be familiar with the specific people and places you mention. Set up context where needed with questions like “Who was Uncle Steve?” or “Where is Rancho Santa Cruz?”

8. Encourage Vivid Details
Questions that encourage vivid details can make the story special. Invoke the senses by asking your partner to remember these details. For example: “What did your kitchen smell like when you were growing up?” or “What images stand out when you think about Granddad?”

9. Plan Some Reflective Questions
Keep an eye on the timer so that you are aware of when there are 10 and 5 minutes left. End your interview with reflective questions, such as “What legacy would you like to leave?” or “What advice would you give me about becoming a scientist?”

10. Relax and Be Yourself
Enjoy the opportunity to share stories and reflections with your interview partner. Just be yourself, be curious, and let the conversation flow.

 

Part 3 - Show One

Produce and share your interview with your chosen expert. This may be an audio file, an audio file underneath photos or video footage, or video footage of your interview directly.

Consider the story you would like to tell, using the conversation you had. What would you, the interviewer, like to add to this discussion? Is there any editorializing or analysis you’d like to add?

Submit or share your video via whichever platform your school uses (i.e. FlipGrid, Google Classroom, Schoology, etc.)