FRANKFORT, Ky. (December 9, 2004) – This fall, the Kentucky Historical Society successfully launched a series of videoconferences for public school students. Throughout November and December, the Society presented interactive, real-time programming to more than 900 students at 10 schools via the Kentucky Telelinking Network (KTLN). The sessions were targeted to elementary and middle school students.

Topics included “Adena Economics,” “Prehistoric Kentucky,” “Lewis and Clark and the Land” and “Kentucky Folklife: Latino Dance.” Each hour-long program includes several components, among them museum theatre performances; video segments; opportunities to ask questions of an expert; and student activities based on artifacts, primary sources, and creative drama. Students viewed the programming live and were able to address questions and comments about the program on camera, all viewed by other participating school groups scattered about the state.

One teacher from Corbin noted, “I thought the experience for both the students and myself was great.” Another from Pulaski County agreed: “It was our first experience at a videoconference-- that was very exciting.” 

In November and December, 925 students participated in the program from  Bardstown Elementary, Henry County Middle, Meece Middle (Pulaski County), Paintsville Elementary, Pineville Elementary, Rockcastle County Middle, Science Hill Elementary (Pulaski County), South Elementary (Corbin), Southgate Elementary and Winburn Middle (Lexington). 

Programs planned for 2005 include a middle school program on “Songs of the Underground Railroad” and secondary-level programs on “Kentucky Coalmining and the Depression” and “Civil Rights and the Cold War in Kentucky.” 

Grant funds are provided by the Institute of Museum and Library Services to conduct the programs via the Kentucky Telelinking Network (KTLN; http://www.ket.org/KTLN/).  Working with an advisory group of teachers and technology coordinators, KHS educators developed the content for seven conferences, each of which will take place twice during the 2004-2005 school year.

For information, contact Vicky Middleswarth at (502) 564-1792, Ext. 4425, or vicky.middleswarth@ky.gov. To find out the location of the KTLN facility nearest your school, visit the KTLN Web site at www.ktln.org.

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The Kentucky Historical Society, since 1836, has provided connections to the past, perspective on the present, and inspiration for the future.  KHS operates the Old State Capitol, Kentucky Military History Museum and its five-year-old headquarters, the Kentucky History Center.   Since 1999, the thirty-million-dollar History Center has welcomed almost one million visitors.   For more information about the Kentucky Historical Society and its programs, visit the Web at http://history.ky.gov or call (502) 564-1792.