For those who lived through the Cold War, the conflict was an unforgettable period of scientific and technological achievements as well as social and political tension, punctuated by intense military crises. But for many young Americans born after 1989, the Cold War era can seem remote and difficult to understand.
Although the Cold War has ended, its issues still resonate in our relations with the former Soviet republics, as well as China, the Korean peninsula, and the Middle East.
In the summer of 2011, an educational program was initiated at the Cold War Gallery to develop STEM-focused lesson plans, and to deliver these standards-based lesson plans through the web. Eight teachers from around the United States, recipients of STEM Fellowship awards, traveled to Washington, DC, for an intense two week program focusing on the Covert Submarine Operations exhibit. The end result of their work is the selection of lesson plans listed on this page. Their lesson plans utilize the rich multimedia found in the Cold War Gallery Virtual Tour to make learning an engaging and fun experience for middle school and high school students.
For the summer of 2012, a STEM-H program is planned; H is for history. The history of our Navy is also a history of technology. Adding U.S. history teachers to our science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fellowship teams provides a focus on the technological history behind Cold War era advances. Norman Augustine recently wrote: "Students who are exposed to more modern methods of history education - where critical thinking and research are emphasized - tend to perform better in math and science. In my position as CEO of a firm employing 80,000 engineers, I can testify that most were excellent engineers - but the factor that most distinguished those who advanced in the organization was the ability to think broadly and read and write clearly." The STEM-H lesson plans produced during the summer 2012 will focus on naval warfare beyond Covert Submarine Operations, including air warfare, surface warfare, and research & development. Lesson plans will include the history of technology related to each area.
The Naval Historical Foundation offers fellowships for high school teachers of science, technology, engineering, math and U.S. History to work in teams at the National Museum of the United States Navy in the historic Washington Navy Yard, Washington, DC during three overlapping summer 2012 periods: July 9-20, July 16-27, and July 23-Aug 3. A stipend of $2,000 will be paid to successful applicants for the program, upon fellowship completion. Documented travel expenses, up to $500, will be provided during the first week of the fellowship. The Naval Historical Foundation will arrange and provide local hotel accommodations.
Please visit the
Naval Historical Foundation website to apply for the 2012 STEM-H Fellowship Program.
