The document discusses the Kansas Historical Society's Traveling Trunk Program which loans out educational trunks on various history topics to schools and other groups. It describes the evolution of the trunks over generations to become more standards-aligned and interactive. Specific trunks covered include ones on archaeology, Native American tribes, and early exploration. The benefits of trunks over museum visits are their lower cost, flexibility to tailor to different audiences, and ability to reach more remote areas. Feedback from teachers and seniors' groups has been very positive about the educational impact and memories the trunks provoke.

1. Traveling Resource Trunks School Outreach Programs: Transforming the Field Trip

2. What is the Kansas Historical Society Traveling Trunk Program? Multiple copies of trunks Began in early 1980s Local control until 1999 Snapshots in time

3. Snapshots in Time 1 st Generation – secondary sources 2 nd Generation – written narrative & activity ideas tying pieces to trunk theme 3 rd Generation – lesson plans driven by content; some interactives 4 th Generation – trunk is content driven; lessons balance content objectives and skill objectives; contain interactives; tied to state standards

4. Puzzles from the Past: Problem Solving Through Archeology Dating activity uses objects, photos of site features, a stratigraphy model, expository text cards, and note taking and time line worksheets.

5. Puzzles from the Past: Problem Solving Through Archeology Observation and inference activity uses objects, a 1/3 size footprint of a Wichita Indian grass house excavation, and a worksheet.

6. Corps of Discovery Creating a matrix of American Indian tribes using photos and journal entries.

7. Indian Homes in Kansas Reading and map activity using objects, photos, models, a state map floor cloth, and sentence strips.

8. Trunk vs. Museum Visit More Bang for the Buck! Monetary Staff time Student attention

9. Trunk vs. Museum Visit More Bang for the Buck! Geographically Accessible  411 miles 208 miles

10. Trunk vs. Museum Visit More Bang for the Buck! Geographically Accessible Tailor the Experience for an Individual Fit Teacher controlled Adaptable to a variety of audiences Adaptable to a variety of program formats

11. Trunk vs. Museum Visit More Bang for the Buck! Geographically Accessible Tailor it for an Individual Fit Longer Contact Time Reservation length Use with multiple classes and grades Student/trunk contact

12. Trunk vs. Museum Visit

13. Is a traveling trunk right for you? Who will use it? How will they get it? How will they use it? Do you have the space? Do you have the staff to develop a trunk? To maintain it?

14. Things to keep in mind when developing a trunk. Size Weight Durability Labels Inventory Cost

15. Buy it! outside container packing containers & materials books, CDs, & DVDs

16. objects reproductions models

17. Make it! custom packing sentence strips, object cards & other paper items labeling & laminating trunk manuals

18. felt boards & felt board activities textile reproductions

22. Comments from Trunk Evaluations Teachers “ Excellent! My students learned so much. ” “ It was fabulous! It would be great if schools could purchase trunks from you or at least request that you put one together for them.” “ This was a great learning experience. I used it in an adult presentation (pieces of it) in Louisiana in hopes of encouraging their state historical society to develop these.”

23. Comments from Trunk Evaluations Senior Centers “ I so much appreciate being able to check out trunks. I used it for a group of seniors at Brookside Manor. You can’t believe the memories that surface and the excellent conversations that we have! Thanks so much.” “ We used it at an assisted living facility to celebrate Kansas Historical Women’s month. One woman brought a family quilt to talk about. First time she’s ever participated in an activity, and this helped make her part of the community. Thanks very much!”