If looking for a fun, hands-on way to engage students in higher-level thinking and learner-led inquiry, we have an outreach program for you! Built on the concept of engaging students in primary sources, the education program's traveling trunks can supplement textbooks in new and exciting ways that interest students. While each trunk focuses on using primary sources in the classroom, they can be used outside of the social studies classroom and in cross-curricular instruction. For example, the Saving Our Seas! trunk was developed for science instruction to demonstrate the marine conservation initiatives of President George W. Bush and Mrs. Laura Bush.
These roller skates (circa 1950-1960) are part of Family Collection #4 from Raiding the Attic.
Courtesy George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum.
Raiding the Attic: Exploring History with Nana’s Trunk
Recommended Grade Levels: K-3
Students imitate museum detectives exploring the treasured collections of six different American families. Through interaction with the artifacts and curriculum in Nana’s Trunk, students will learn the importance of museums and archives, how to differentiate between a primary and secondary source, how to analyze objects for their historical significance, and what collected objects meant to families. The trunk includes a full curriculum with ready-to-use activities and lesson plans.
Exterior of the Saving Our Seas! trunk.
Courtesy George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum.
Saving Our Seas! The President and Mrs. Bush Marine Conservation Resource Trunk
Recommended Grade Levels: K-12
Built around the concept of comprehensive thematic guides, the Saving Our Seas! trunk provides you with primary and secondary resources, scientific tools, and hands-on manipulatives that allow you to acquaint students with a variety of marine concepts including: diversity of life in the oceans, the role of coral reefs, the water-cycle, human impact on the ocean ecosystem, and the archival records documenting the work of President and Mrs. Bush to conserve our oceans. The goal of the trunk is to provide the tools and activities to ensure students understand the significance of the oceans and to help them develop active conservation plans to ensure their part in saving our seas!
This trunk contains a variety of resources for classroom use, including archival records, reference texts, DVDs, marine replicas, scientific instruments, and more!
Courtesy George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum.
Want to Participate in a Test Run?
The traveling trunks described above are in the testing phase; when materials are finalized, the relevant Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) and pre-checkout activities and information for teachers will be provided. If your campus or district is interested in hosting a test run of a trunk, please ensure participation of at least 5 teachers and be able to attend a detailed feedback session. To inquire about availability and further information about the process, please contact the education program.
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