Aurora History Museum & Historic Sites and Pop Culture Classroom Partner for History Learning, Enrichment, Engagement, and Fun in Aurora’s Schools.
AURORA, Colo. — Aurora History Museum & Historic Sites and Pop Culture Classroom today launched “Aurora History That Pops!,” a new effort that offers middle and high school students interactive learning experiences that integrate education, self-expression, and play to:
- Learn about important local history and civics,
- spark critical thinking, and
- develop skills for self-expression.
“Aurora is an incredibly history-rich community,” said T. Scott Williams, Aurora Museum and Historic Sites Director. “Together with Pop Culture Classroom, we’ve designed interactive experiences that integrate education, self-expression, and play.”
Each Aurora History That Pops! offering includes historical instruction sessions from Aurora History Museum & Historic Sites and creative applications for student self-expression and engagement from Pop Culture Classroom.
Educators who are interested in connecting their students to these educational opportunities can sign up online at: http://AuroraGov.org/HistoryThatPops.
“The educators, parents, and students that Pop Culture Classroom works with in Aurora and elsewhere have made it clear that they need new, creative approaches to re-engage students,” added Pop Culture Classroom Education Director Matt Slayter.
“Aurora History That Pops! programs are expressly designed to get students excited and invested in these learning experiences, and support educators in their efforts.”
The Spring 2021 semester of “Aurora History That Pops!” is available from March 22 to October and includes:
- Civic in the City —Students learn the structure and function of our local government, practicing listening to and respecting the views of others, and sharing their own ideas about city policies in a mock city council meeting and other activities designed to highlight how our local government introduces and votes on policies. Students will then create informative comics to teach others about local government, learning the basics of comic creation such as storytelling through sequential images and the basics of drawing comic panels.
- Museum & Historic Sites Tours — Students tour local landmarks to learn about their community, including sites like the historic 1930s-era Coal Creek Schoolhouse and Gully Homestead House. Next, they’ll create original comics to show what they’ve learned about the locations and learn the basics of comic creations.
- Science Fiction Land — Students explore the 1953 coup in Iran, tracing history from Aurora’s failed Science Fiction Land theme park role in history to the Iranian hostage crisis in 1979. Students will learn geography and history through research and exploration of pop culture.
- Virtual Discussions: Aurora in the World — Students review the museum’s online exhibits, and then participate in a museum educator-facilitated virtual discussion. Recommended for Middle and High School students, exhibit and discussion topics include timely and relevant issues such as Immigrant and refugee stories, civic growth through the 20th century, religion in Aurora, and voting. Student feedback will be used to create additional games, comics, cosplays, and other pop culture-focused on-ramps for local learning and local engagement.
About Aurora History Museum
The Aurora History Museum & Historic Sites is part of the Library and Cultural Services Department for the city of Aurora. The Cultural Services Division is the largest single provider of arts and culture in the city of Aurora offering programs in performing arts, fine arts, history, and public art. Learn more at AuroraMuseum.org.
About Pop Culture Classroom
Pop Culture Classroom is an education and community nonprofit that works to inspire a love of learning, increase literacy, celebrate diversity, and builds community through the tools of popular culture and the power of self-expression.