The New York Geographic Alliance
proudly presents…
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| July 8 - 15, 2007 |
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The New York Geographic Alliance is
proud to announce the best teacher training opportunity ever – the
Grand Canal ExpERIEnce 2007! For one great week in July, we will be training teachers in geography, with a special emphasis on the Erie Canal. But unlike institutes of the past, this one is a journey along the historic canal and the Hudson Valley. There will be several boat trips on the modern canal, including passing through locks, engineering masterpieces from the early 1900s. We will also visit sites along the "Old Erie" – museums, forts, canal parks. There will be talks from experts on the Erie Canal and the history and geography of the Empire State. We are arranging for great entertainment, too. Of course, there will be time for sightseeing and shopping in canal towns from Buffalo to Albany. Teachers who complete the "Floating Institute" will become Teacher Consultants. They will be our newest ambassadors for geographic education in New York State. They will be asked to present one workshop in their home districts in the following school year. (Not to worry…we'll do the training!) |
| As you envision it now, there will be
two contingents traveling in opposite directions along the Erie.
Group A will begin in the
Hudson Valley and then move north to Albany. Then they will take a journey
of discovery through the Mohawk Valley. Group
B will leave from their home port of Buffalo and
move eastward through the Genesee country and the Finger Lakes Region.
Both groups will join forces in Syracuse to complete the ExpERIEnce. Have questions? Read on! |
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| Who is eligible? |
What will I see? (see schedule below) |
How much will it cost me? |
What is expected of me? |
Why
should I go? |
| Any
teacher K -12 can apply to participate in the Grand Canal ExpERIEnce 2007 Floating Institute. Preference
may be given to teachers in 4th and 7th grades, since the Erie Canal
is included in those NYS standards. However, since geography is an interdisciplinary
field of study, teachers from all subject areas will be considered.
In short, if you are interested, please apply. Information about applications will be availible early in 2007. |
This depends on which group you join, the eastern
or the western contingents. Both groups will have 3-4 boat tours (Lockport,
Herkimer, Rochester, Waterford, etc.). Museums and historic canal towns will be visited by both groups. Many of them have already agreed to host us when we are in their towns. In fact, they are very excited that we are coming! See the list of our partners below and visit their links to find out more about them. |
We expect that most of our expenses
for the Grand
Canal ExpERIEnce 2007 Floating Institute will
be covered by grants. That means transportation, lodging, boat tours,
teaching supplies, and admissions to museums are all NYGA's
responsibility. We might ask the participating teachers to pay for one meal each day, but that is yet to be determined. Of course, souvenirs, books, and gifts will be your responsibility. |
The New York Geographic Alliance
expects all teachers involved in the Grand Canal
ExpERIEnce 2007 Floating Institute to be active
participants in all activities and lessons.
This includes walks along the canal, museum visits, and lectures by visiting
canal experts. We also require participating teachers to lead one workshop on the Erie Canal and/or related topics in their home districts. We will help you in your preparation during the institute and beyond. |
Come
on!! Do you really need a reason to explore New York State's great treasure, the Erie Canal? OK, in case you do, remember that you have the opportunity to experience New York Geography in a totally unique way - not in a classroom, but out in the field. You will meet and learn from historians, naturalists, and other scholars of the canal country. And don't forget, you will become a Teacher Consultant with the New York Geographic Alliance! |
Are you interested in applying for the summer institute?
Download the Application form now!
Draft Schedule for the Grand Canal ExpERIEnce "Floating" Teacher Institute
(These stops are subject to revision at a later date)
| DATE |
Eastern Group
("The Lock Tenders") |
Western Group
("The Hoggees" |
| Sunday July 8 |
Rondout District - Kingston, NY |
Niagara Falls - Maid of the Mist |
| Monday July 9 |
Hudson River Maritime Museum Rondout Lighthouse (Boat Ride) NYS Museum - Albany |
Niagara County Historical Museum - Lockport Erie Canal Discovery Center Lockport and Erie Canal Cruise Cobblestone Museum - Childs, NY |
| Tuesday July 10 |
Waterford Historical Museum Erie Canal Boat Ride through the "Flight of Five" - Waterford Tour of the Day Peckinpaugh Spindle City Visitor Center - Cohoes |
Amos Eaton Boat Tour - Pittsford Genesee Aqueduct - Rochester Mt. Hope Cemetery Tour Brockport Waterfront |
| Wednesday July 11 |
Mohawk Valley Scenic Byway Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site - Fort Hunter Village of Little Falls Geographic Tour Lil' Diamond Boat Trip - Herkimer |
Village of Palmyra Geographic Tour Women's Rights National Historical Park - Seneca Falls Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge |
| Thursday July 12 |
Oriskany Battlefield Historic Park Erie Canal Village - Rome |
Seward Home - Auburn Jordan Canal Park Camillus Erie Canal Park - Camillus |
| Friday July 13 |
Erie Canal Museum - Syracuse |
Erie Canal Museum - Syracuse |
| Saturday July 14 |
Chittenango Landing Boat Museum Clark Reservation State Park Emita II Dinner Cruise - Syracuse |
Chittenango Landing Boat Museum Clark Reservation State Park Emita II Dinner Cruise - Syracuse |
| Sunday July 15 |
Return Trip to Kingston, NY |
Return Trip to Buffalo, NY |
Partners
in the Grand Canal ExpERIEnce 2007
Contact us for more information
Return to the NYGA Home Page