Adventure of the American Mind

Collaboration with the Library of Congress

The Adventure of the American Mind program, funded by a multi-year grant, is focused on bringing resources from the Library of Congress to Lake County schools and assisting on the use of these resources in curriculum development and implementation.

The Barat Education Foundation is providing direct support and technology-based learning tools which will enhance the student classroom experience and improve Illinois standards.

The Adventure of the American Mind is a collaborative effort with the Library of Congress to instruct teachers in the use of the LOC materials. The effort is to create school-based projects that propel students and teachers to use the Library of Congress materials in project based learning directly related to achieving Illinois standards. We will partner with 10-15 Lake County schools in this effort.

A Unique Set of Educational Goals:

• Create a unique approach that achieves AAM goals by combining face-to-face teacher education with technology based tools and education for long-term support and greater distribution.
• Create an approach that assures student use of LOC materials, going beyond a traditional teacher training implementation.
• Build strong relationships and a project that can be synergistic with other AAM member efforts.
• Build a project that is easily replicable in other communities.
• Create a self-sustaining project that has a lasting effect in the community

To date, more than 150 teachers and 1,200 of their students participated in the first year of our American Minds program. The program grant has been extended through October 2007.

For additional information, please visit our dedicated project website here.