Magistra Allen attends an NEH Summer Institute
This summer Magistra Sarah Allen attended an incredibly engaging summer institute sponsored by the National Endowment for the Humanities titled "The Ancient Olympics and Daily Life in Ancient Olympia: A Hands-On History" at Monmouth College in Monmouth, Illinois.
During this jam-packed two-week professional development opportunity Magistra Allen was one of about two dozen K-12 educators who learned about and then tried out all of the ancient events in the Olympics, and also learned so much more about the technology of various aspects of daily life. These included weaving and writing technology, the complex science behind ancient pottery firing techniques, ancient and sustainable farming practices and beekeeping, cheese-making, and much more! She made ink out of oak galls, completed some simple weaving projects, made pottery, won the stade race among the female participants, threw a discus and javelin, served as a horse in a "chariot", and got to feel a little like an archaeologist. She also got interested in ancient security practices, and hopes to pursue further research on aspects of ancient locks and locking technology. All participants were instructed in engaging hands-on activities by experts, and Magistra is aiming to bring lots of what she did and learned into her classes this year, so her students can have as much fun as she did.
If you would like to learn more about this wonderful opportunity, you can also check out this news article from the River Cities' Reader by a local journalist, or check out an interview from the Monmouth public radio station that features Magistra, two other participants, and the directors of the program. This is a link to the news podcast episode on Spotify (Magistra Allen talks about her experience at about minute 9:20), and this has a very brief written summary of what was talked about in the interview and includes a fun picture from the radio booth. Big thanks to the National Endowment for the Humanities for making this all possible!