CAU School of Education Completes Nicaragua Study-Abroad

by Dr. Franr Jackson, Professor

THIS SUMMER, CLARK ATLANTA School of Education (CAU SOE) representatives completed a multiphased project titled A Curriculum Development Project in Nicaragua: Making Historical and Cultural Connections with People of the African Diaspora. On May 23, 2004, fifteen Atlantans embarked on a fourweek study-abroad tour of Nicaragua to make cultural connections between Nicaraguans of African descent and African-Americans.

A Fulbright-Hays Grant, housed in the U.S. Department of Education, sponsored this phase of the multiphased project with Dr. Fran Jackson as the principal investigator. The first phase of the project was completed during the 2003 summer. Dr. Collette M. Hopkins, Project Director, accompanied 44 Atlanta public school teachers and students for a two-week study of Nicaragua. Their trip was a precursor to this more extensive and intensive study in Nicaragua.

Phase One, Goal: The four-week studyabroad was designed to enhance teachers and teacher educators understanding of and appreciation for the role that Central American countries play in world events. A major goal of this project was to redesign the social studies curriculum in Georgia so that it provides a more accurate and authentic perspective of Central American countries in general and of Nicaragua in particular. Program participants will make historical and cultural connections between African-Americans and Africans in the Diaspora.

Phase Two, The Visit: While in Nicaragua, participants became fully immersed in the culture by attending lectures, touring the country, making new friends, interviewing experts, and visiting schools. Some participants appeared on a local radio program. Most of the team's work was conducted in Bluefields, Nicaragua, where a percentage of the population is of African descent. Participants collected additional data from authentic sources to ensure the accuracy of their units. A cultural immersion feature was a highlight of the participants experience in Nicaragua. Phase Three, The Postvisit: Participants have already given copies of their curriculum units to principals and are teaching lessons using authentic materials. It is expected that participants will continue to share their experiences with a wide audience by giving presentations, writing articles, and using varied media to disseminate information. The study tour proved to be an exciting, intellectually stimulating and spiritually awakening program for all participants. This project will have a wide-reaching impact on the US participants and those in Central America. Exchanging cultural information in formal and informal settings led to the creation of lifelong friendships and unforgettable learning experiences.