The document summarizes a project between Yale University archivists and local high school students to introduce students to the archival profession. Over the course of 8 weeks, archivists from Yale worked with 650 high school students, most of whom were students of color or had English as a second language. The project included lessons, a tour of archival facilities, and a final project. While aspects like collaboration and achieving educational goals worked well, longer timelines and ensuring teacher support were challenges. Feedback from teachers suggested focusing lessons into one intensive week to better engage students.

1. Family and Community Archives Project Introducing High School Students to the Archival Profession Society of American Archivists 2008

2. Yale University Archivists Susan Brady, Beinecke Library Thomas Hyry, Beinecke Library Diane Kaplan, Manuscripts and Archives Nancy Lyon, Manuscripts and Archives Christine Weideman, Manuscripts and Archives Molly Wheeler, Beinecke Library

3. Why we proposed this project What we hoped to do What we did and how we did it

5. 650 students in grades 9-12 64% are students of color 2% had English as a second language

15. See previous

24. What worked What did not work Teachers’ suggestions for improving the project

25. Achievements Learned what archivists do Teachers enjoyed it Yale into community, community into Yale Collaboration across libraries and departments

26. What Worked Administrative planning group’s activity Group creation of lesson plans Several archivists per class, small groups and one-on-one possible Blog Wiki

27. Tour

29. Audiovisual Lesson Lesson 5: Who Uses Archives?

30. Exhibit

31. What did not work Teacher support varied 8 weeks too long for project Class meeting times too long Needed more feedback from teachers on lesson plans Efficacy and support for homework Technology support for A/V lesson

32. What did not work (cont.) Final project determined by teachers late in semester Understanding privacy issues School activities Early class time, poor attendance We talked too much, needed more hands-on lessons

33. Teachers’ suggestions for improving the project Run the project for two weeks in March, immediately after national testing completed. Meet with each class five times in a row in one week, with one class including tour of Manuscripts and Archives. Class time between 11am and 2pm Students could have opportunity to opt out and have a regular class with other teacher. Participants would have no other responsibilities for that class during the week. Any homework assignments would be related to the archives project. Required project be clearly defined in the first period.

34. Potential lessons for other archivists Planning Phase Implementation Diversity

35. Planning Define measures of success Define what you want the students to learn Define resources needed Explore the Internet Partner with the teachers Plan for the unengaged students/teachers Avoid early morning classes Resolve privacy/confidentiality issues

36. Implementation Be flexible Do an exhibit Be visual in your teaching Introduce them to jobs in the profession

37. In what ways did this project contribute to diversity initiatives?

39. Family and Community Archives Project Archivists Susan Brady Bill Landis Kathleen Burns Nancy Lyon * Mary Caldera Sandra Markham Lisa Conathan Matthew Mason Heather Dean Jennifer Meehan * Ellen Doon Joanne Rudof Kevin Glick Judy Schiff Daniel Hartwig * Karen Spicher Rebecca Hatcher Chris Weideman * Tom Hyry * Molly Wheeler Diane Kaplan * *Members of Archivists’ Administrative Group