Edward M. Kennedy Institute recognized for visitor experience and educational programs

BOSTON – The Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate is proud to announce that two prestigious awards; the THEA Award for Outstanding Achievement and the BGTW Merit Award were awarded to the Institute in 2016.

The Thea Awards were created by the Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) to bring recognition to achievement, talent and personal excellence within the themed entertainment industry. The Institute’s Senate Immersion Module (SIM) program was selected as an Outstanding Achievement in Connected Immersion in Education category.

The Institute also received a Merit Award in the Wider World Category from the British Guild of Travel Writers (BGTW). This honor places the Institute among the top five new tourism projects visited by BGTW members in the Wider World category.

“These awards affirm that the Institute is a special organization,” said Jean MacCormack, President of the Edward M. Kennedy Institute. “The team here is focused on breaking new ground in civic engagement and using exhibits and programs to encourage students and visitors to engage in and experience democracy. We are honored to be recognized by the Themed Entertainment Association and the British Guild of Travel Writers.” The Institute allows visitors to step into the shoes of a United States Senator for a day – bringing the Senate alive in a whole new way. Using a handled tablet as a guide, visitors explore numerous interactive exhibits that weave the history of the U.S. Senate together with Senator Kennedy’s legacy of service, and a call for visitors to engage in their own communities. Visitors can tour Senator Kennedy’s Washington DC Senate Office, and pick from a variety of daily programming that take place inside the Institute’s replica U.S. Senate Chamber.

About the Edward M. Kennedy Institute

The Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate is dedicated to educating the public about the important role of the Senate in our government, encouraging participatory democracy, invigorating civil discourse, and inspiring the next generation of citizens and leaders to engage in the civic life of their communities. For more information, please visit emkinstitute.org.