In a Digital World, 'Show and Tell' Means Bringing the Museum to the Classroom

WASHINGTON, March 13, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, the Newseum launched the latest component of its free Digital Classroom website, "Women, Their Rights and Nothing Less." The new learning module builds on the site's rich civil rights resources to include one of the largest online collections of primary sources and historic periodicals about the women's suffrage movement. The new module, made possible by the generous support of AAUW, explores how the suffragists embraced the First Amendment as a tool to help achieve passage of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution in 1920, which gave women the right to vote.

The module draws on the wealth of resources maintained by the Newseum in its collection of historic artifacts and more than 35,000 newspapers and magazines. "Women, Their Rights and Nothing Less" features detailed images and descriptions of nearly 300 historic front pages, photographs and artifacts that illustrate how the suffragists used all five freedoms of the First Amendment — speech, religion, press, petition and assembly — to influence public opinion and win support. An interactive map of the United States pinpoints artifacts used to advocate for and against suffrage, and students can document their civic engagement using the latest Glogster EDU tools embedded in the site.

"Women, Their Rights and Nothing Less" — designed for students in grades six through 12 — encourages a deeper understanding of the women's suffrage movement that goes beyond the famous names and iconic images to reveal the roots of today's social and political movements.

"Thousands of students visit the Newseum and participate in our on-site classes each year," said Barbara McCormack, director of education at the Newseum. "Our Digital Classroom initiative allows us to expand our world-class educational programming and to have an impact beyond the four walls of the museum."

"AAUW is proud to sponsor this new effort at the Newseum, and what a perfect time to launch — during Women's History Month," said AAUW Executive Director and CEO Linda D. Hallman, CAE. "The suffragists risked it all for the right to vote, and their sacrifice can't be forgotten or downplayed; after all, they paved the way for future movements. Without the First Amendment, the suffragists and the AAUW members who were active in those protests wouldn't have been able to mobilize. Today, AAUW continues to be civically engaged and committed to educating voters on what's at stake in political contests, ranging from the local school board race to the presidential election."

For teachers, the website offers comprehensive yet flexible lesson plans designed for middle, high school and college classrooms that support historical thinking, media literacy and civic engagement. These standards-aligned projects and worksheets encourage students to engage with Newseum content, their communities and their peers across the country.

About the Newseum
The mission of the Newseum is to champion the five freedoms of the First Amendment through education, information and entertainment. One of the top attractions in Washington, D.C., the Newseum's 250,000-square-foot news museum offers visitors a state-of-the-art experience that blends news history with up-to-the-second technology and hands-on exhibits. The Newseum Institute serves as a forum for First Amendment study, exploration and education. The Newseum is a 501(c)(3) public charity funded by generous individuals, corporations and foundations, including the Freedom Forum. For more information, visit newseum.org or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

About AAUW
The American Association of University Women (AAUW) empowers women and girls through advocacy, education, philanthropy and research. The nonpartisan, nonprofit organization has more than 170,000 members and supporters across the United States, as well as 1,000 local branches and more than 800 college and university partners. Since AAUW's founding in 1881, members have examined and taken positions on the fundamental issues of the day — educational, social, economic and political. Learn more at www.aauw.org.

SOURCE Newseum

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