Projects that include educational content for children or adults, resources for educators/teachers, “distance learning” courses, pedagogical training tools, and outreach to the community.
Jury Chair: Julia Shildmyer-Heighway
Director of Content Services, Center for Interactive Learning and Collaboration (CILC)
GOLD: www.JFK50.org
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, ESI Design, Artgig Studio and Ager Meillier Films Inc.
Judges said: The messages and issues presented in this very dramatic website resonate and are both timely and relevant to today. Designed in a manner that is very easy to navigate and maneuver through, the site is remarkably engaging. An interactive timeline traces key events in the style of a graphic novel and breathes new life into the often dry, colorless, traditional historical timelines. The sound and visual quality of all the video content is stellar. The jury was extremely impressed by the access to archival material and media. The ability to download documents and create exhibits “opens the museum doors” so that teachers and students become the exhibit design team and curators. This website serves as a simple, yet powerful way for museums to engage an audience while promoting self-directed learning in a non-linear way. As one juror summed it up, “I was blown away by the amazing resources. This website is just crazy sexy.”
Producers said: ESI Design collaborated with the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum to create an interactive website celebrating the 50th anniversary of the inauguration of John F. Kennedy. The site pays tribute to the JFK administration, but more importantly, celebrates its vision and relevance in today’s world.
The site is organized around the core themes of public service, science and innovation, civil rights, domestic affairs, the arts, foreign policy and diplomacy, and the environment, and is supported by a rich collection of both archival and new audio and video content.
The Legacy Gallery presents a tapestry of new video interviews with celebrities, luminaries and future leaders discussing their efforts to continue JFK’s legacy in their respective fields. Wynton Marsalis talks about how jazz teaches democracy, Stephen Colbert discusses how humor can help bring the two political parties together.
In the History Now section, an interactive timeline traces key events in the style of a graphic novel. The lighthearted format breathes new life into the often dry, colorless traditional historical timelines. Events such as JFK’s inauguration, the Bay of Pigs Invasion and the Vienna Summit are augmented with archival audio, video and photographs.
The Downloads and Resources area of the site provides visitors with access to actual archival documents and other media from the Kennedy Library. There are curriculum guides, a series of related web resources, and instructions for visitor to create their own exhibit and share it in the community gallery.
SILVER: Science and Technology of World War II
National WWII Museum, Leininger Animation, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Judges said: We all want to find ways to engage and impact multiple audiences. This website is a great example of dynamic and engaging outreach. The National World War II Museum’s program, “The War that Changed Your World: The Science and Technology of WWII” is an outstanding multi-faceted curriculum offering that utilizes advanced technology to connect with middle and high-school students on a national level. History museums are often viewed as traditional and somewhat lackluster in delivering information about objects. This digital project is full of excitement and interactivity. With drama and mystery weaved throughout the website, the audio excerpts about code breaking and the interactives for creating and deciphering secret codes are a great example of energizing content. The inclusion of the videoconference component provides an interactive visitor experience with both asynchronous and synchronous opportunities. The site makes cross-curricular connections and engages on a variety of levels and to experts, archives, and artifacts the general visitor might not come in contact with during a normal museum visit. It truly blows away the museum walls.
Producers said: The National World War II Museum is committed to educating and engaging individuals of all ages, and telling the story of the American Experience in the war that changed the world. The Museum’s sustenance lies in the ability to impart our mission to younger audiences to effectively connect with our nation’s youth.
The National World War II Museum’s program, “The War that Changed Your World: The Science and Technology of WWII” is an engaging multi-faceted curriculum offering that utilizes advanced technology to connect with middle and high-school students on a national level. The program provides students with historical information about the significant advances in science and technology during the World War II years. The curriculum is comprised of an interactive website (www.ww2sci-tech.org), an interactive videoconference Virtual Field Trip and a free classroom poster.
The National World War II Museum worked with Leininger Animation to develop the interactive website, “The Science and Technology of World War II.” Dr. David Mindell, Professor of the History of Engineering and Manufacturing at the Massachussets Institute of Technology served as a consultant on the project. Funding for the project was provided by the GE Foundation.
BRONZE: Coming of Age Website
Museum of Jewish Heritage, C & G Partners, Second Look Productions
Judges said: “It moved me to tears” declared a judge during the jury meeting for this category. This website experience creates an amazing learning environment for students. Designed interactively for school use and curriculum-based exploration, it is packed with great materials including 13 first-hand accounts (with videos), historical and individual survival timelines, vocabulary words (with definitions) embedded within reading, quizzes, and opportunities to “pair” with another school. Each story reflects unique, individual experiences, and as a group, the stories provide a library of resources for learning about the Holocaust through personal narratives. It provides a multi-faceted approach to learning about the holocaust, especially those that survived, and creates online “community” fostering school partnerships. Its major impact is the interaction among peers.
Producers said: Coming of Age in the Holocaust, Coming of Age Now is an interactive curriculum for middle and high school students and their educators. The curriculum includes 13 unique stories to help students learn about the Holocaust through personal narratives. Students hear directly from survivors through video testimony and read about their lives before, during, and after the Holocaust.
Students will reflect on the challenges survivors faced in maintaining their identities, responsibilities they assumed during difficult circumstances, sacrifices they made for others, and lessons they want to impart to the next generation. By studying the lives of survivors, students will grow in their understanding of the Holocaust and themselves, and develop a deep sense of what it means to come of age today.
Jurors:
Cathy Burton
Beeler Family Director of Education, Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art
John Goehrke
Education Coordinator, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum
Tom Kraemer
Patty Petrey Dees
Distance Learning Program Director, Center for Puppetry Arts
Paul Richard
James Yasko
