Edward M. Kennedy Institute to Offer Free Admission for Massachusetts Teachers April 17-26

BOSTON – April 16, 2015 - The Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate is excited to announce today that it will offer free admission for all Massachusetts teachers from April 17th – 26th.

Massachusetts’ educators have played a critical role in the development of the Institute’s interactive programming and continue to inspire the next generation of leaders. In recognition of their hard work, the Institute is opening its doors next week for free to the Commonwealth’s educators.

“Education is central to the mission of the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate, so it is fitting that teachers be among the first to experience our dynamic programs and technology,” said Jean MacCormack, president of the Institute and the former chancellor of the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. “I understand how much hands-on, active educational experiences shape student learning, so we are excited to unveil the Institute as a resource for teachers and students from the Commonwealth and beyond.”

The Institute offers a range of educational programming for both Massachusetts and out-of-state students. These programs have been designed by teams of historians, policy experts, and more than 600 local teachers and students.

“Teachers and students will be thrilled to participate in an educational experience never before available anywhere,” said Neema Avashia, a teacher at the Dever-McCormack Middle School in Dorchester, MA. “The Edward M. Kennedy Institute brings together the powerful story of the history of the U.S. Senate and our nation, using leading edge technology and some of our best educational strategies to create a truly transformative experience for students.”

To further enhance the educational experiences such as the Senate Immersion Module (SIM), where students have the opportunity to be “Senators for a day”, the Institute provides free downloadable lesson plans including primary source materials to prepare students for the SIM and debrief afterwards. The lesson plans focus on how the Senate works and the role of a Senator as well as the specific topic the students will explore in the SIM programming. The curricular materials are aligned to meet Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts & Literacy and the Massachusetts History and Social Science Curriculum Framework.

Please find more information on the Institute’s educational offerings here. For information on our special offer and to plan your visit, please visit http://www.emkinstitute.org.

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