After evaluating the education kit program this summer, Fleming staff has decided to remove several kits from circulation in order to better align them with the museum’s own rich collection and to update the resources with enriching contextual information.
We have retained four kits for circulation this year. The Ancient Egypt kit is a perennial favorite that includes objects and historical information that enhances the study these ancient materials. We have updated the Abenaki kit with more resources, including links to a clearinghouse of resources produced by the Abenaki Art Association to contextualize and enrich the objects made for the museum kit by Abenaki artists. We have also revamped the Japanese Woodblock Printing kit to include more reproductions of Edo- and Meiji-era prints that will be of interest to classes studying samurais, Kabuki actors, and views of the natural world, in addition to the historical printing materials that might inspire your classes to experiment with printing on your own. Finally, the Inca kit has been renamed the Andean Textile kit, which tells a focused story about how contemporary Andean weavers transform past techniques and materials into textiles today.
This fall, the Fleming will launch a digital database that will enable classes to explore the Museum’s collection beyond what is on view in the galleries. As we revamp the hands-on experiences and begin producing digital resources, we will consult with educators across the curriculum and grade levels to ensure that our opportunities for object-based learning are flexible, contextual, and engaging.