Library Field Trips

Outreach Center: Harvard University Center for Middle Eastern Studies
17 Sumner Road; Cambridge, MA 02138 617-495-4078; cmes@fas.harvard.edu

Recently, Marilyn Day (supervisor of the Curriculum Resource Center, Healey Library) and Wijdan Rahman (student working with Marilyn in the CRC) visited the Outreach Center at the Harvard University Center for Middle Eastern Studies.

The Outreach Center is rich with K-12 Middle Eastern educational materials  for teachers such as: fiction and non-fiction books; Curriculum units; Kits; & Videos. The center is open to the public (M-F,  9:00 – 5:00 and Sat. hours by appointment). Educators can borrow the resources.

Paul Beran, Outreach Director and Jaclyn Michael, Curriculum Assistant, gave us a tour of the wonderful resources on Middle Eastern culture, religion, and tradition. Paul and Jaclyn welcome the opportunity to serve UMass/Boston faculty and students by assisting with the planning of Middle East-related courses or units or by gathering materials for class projects.

We will return to the Outreach Center many times in the future, to use the resources and to call upon the expertise of the Paul Beran and Jaclyn Michael.

Note: Paul and Jaclyn mentioned that Harvard has another outreach center, Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies, as well.

Educator Resource Center and Lyman Library: Museum of Science
Science Park, Boston 617-589-0170; lymanlibrary@mos.org

In August, Wijdan and Marilyn visited the Educator’s Resource Center, an attractive space on the third floor of the Museum of Science/Boston.

Jeffrey Mehigan and Henry Robinson cordially showed us the resources: a treasure trove of K-12 books, curricula and kits focused on Science, Engineering, Technology and Math. The standards-based classroom resources were chosen with educators and curriculum administrators in mind. All educators are welcome to borrow materials from the library. Jeff and Henry mentioned that the center can be reserved for groups. Jeff and Henry welcome the opportunity to assist teachers and pre-service teachers with their curriculum projects.

The Center is open 7 days a week (9:00 to 5:00) and offers free passes and parking to educator visitors. By registering with the Educator Resource Center, educators are notified of Museum of Science workshops and events for teachers.

We were inspired by the visit, and left with many new ideas for enhancing our own Curriculum Resource Center.

Note: Jeff and Henry mentioned another science center, Regional Science Resource Center: K-12 Science, Mathematics & Technology  Education, at UMass Medical School.