Contact: Karis Erwin, National WWI Museum and Memorial, (816) 888-8122, kerwin@theworldwar.org
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The National WWI Museum and Memorial announced a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) to conduct a two-week residential Summer Institute for 28 K-12 educators. The Institute, World War I in the Middle East, will be held at the Museum and Memorial on July 10-22, 2022.
An interdisciplinary humanities program, World War I in the Middle East will go beyond the traditional Western-centered emphasis on diplomacy and troop movements, focusing instead on the enduring impact of World War I on the Middle East. Topics of study will include the impact of the war on Ottoman soldiers, the Middle Eastern home fronts, disease and public health, women’s issues and the development of nationalist narratives in the Arab lands, in Turkey and among Ottoman minority groups.
“This generous grant from NEH will provide a unique and immersive opportunity for educators to learn from some of the nation’s greatest Middle East scholars,” said National WWI Museum and Memorial President and CEO Dr. Matthew Naylor. “The effects of WWI on the Middle East can still be felt today, and we are grateful for the opportunity to equip educators with the resources they need to effectively teach on this subject.”
Participants will spend two weeks dedicated to the study of World War I with Middle East scholars and in partnership with Middle Eastern study centers while in residence in Kansas City. Each participant will receive a stipend intended to help cover travel, housing, meals and basic academic expenses.
World War I in the Middle East is designed to be academic and practical. Participants will engage in an in-depth exploration of the Middle East during World War I and have the opportunity for a robust exchange of ideas and discussion as it relates to their teaching. Each educator will develop curricula and presentations to share their new knowledge in U.S. classrooms and with other educators.
K-12 educators can apply to the Summer Institute online. At least five spaces will be reserved for teachers who are new to the profession.
About the National WWI Museum and Memorial
The National WWI Museum and Memorial is America’s leading institution dedicated to remembering, interpreting and understanding the Great War and its enduring impact on the global community. The Museum and Memorial holds the most comprehensive collection of World War I objects and documents in the world and is the second-oldest public museum dedicated to preserving the objects, history and experiences of the war. The Museum and Memorial takes visitors of all ages on an epic journey through a transformative period and shares deeply personal stories of courage, honor, patriotism and sacrifice. Designated by Congress as America’s official World War I Museum and Memorial and located in downtown Kansas City, Mo., the National WWI Museum and Memorial inspires thought, dialogue and learning to make the experiences of the Great War era meaningful and relevant for present and future generations. To learn more, visit theworldwar.org.