Supporting the civic development of young people by connection to relevant content knowledge and engagement skills through new civic education resources is the focus of "Civic Education for Civic Life." By learning about the United States and Minnesota Constitutions, principles of democracy, structures of government, rights, politics, elections, and citizenship, students will be prepared to carry on Minnesota's enviable civic tradition of being a national leader in informed civic participation.
The Minnesota Historical Society is administering grants to organizations to support civics education programs for Minnesota's youth. Civics education provides students with an understanding of the democratic foundation of our national, state, and local government and constitutional principles. Programs run by Kids Voting St. Paul, the Learning Law and Democracy Foundation, and the YMCA has been funded with this money.
To commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, the Minnesota Historical Society is creating a broad range of opportunities to help students, teachers and the general public learn more about the war and the role Minnesota played. Initiatives include:
The Minnesota Historical Society developed a communications strategy to raise awareness of the significance of Minnesota's role in the Civil War and also the Society's educational initiatives, exhibits and programs related to the war to ensure that students, teachers and the general public would use and benefit from these initiatives.
MNHS is developing an online database to identify the burial sites of Minnesota's Civil War veterans. When complete, this database will be available to the general public and serve as an aid to descendants, authors, educators and researchers.
In FY16, MNHS began to create a website for teachers to access educational materials and content related to the Civil War. Research was completed and Civil War-related materials were gathered for the website, including 120 primary sources with background information, Minnesota History magazine articles, videos and programs. Teacher testing will inform design and content modifications in advance of a spring 2017 launch.
As the Minnesota State Capitol reopens after several years of restoration work, MNHS plans to offer new programs exploring the Civil War at the Capitol. During this project, an introductory video will be created for school programs and public theme tours that provide background information about Minnesota's involvement in the Civil War and how that influenced the placement of artifacts, art and memorials in the Capitol.
The mission of the Minnesota Civil War Commemoration Task Force is to promote and share the rich history of the American Civil War and Minnesota's connection to it. With support from the Legacy Amendment's Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund, the task force oversees the development of statewide, balanced activities commemorating the Sesquicentennial of the American Civil War and Minnesota's involvement in it and the U.S.-Dakota War of 1862.
The Historic Recognition Grant program will preserve, recognize, and promote the historic legacy of Minnesota, with a focus on commemoration of Minnesota's role in the American Civil War via a grave registration database to identify all known Minnesota Civil War soldiers buried in Minnesota and those Minnesotans buried outside the state is the first of three projects being administered by MNHS in cooperation with the state's Civil War Commemoration Task Force are in development
Minnesota ranks #2 in hog production and #1 in sugar beet production in the U.S., generating about 11 million tons of pig manure and over one million tons of sugar processing wastes annually. Presently there are not cost-effective methods available to deal with these waste streams other than land application, which usually results in nutrient runoff into ground and surface water resources.
This project is to assist the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency in developing a robust inter-agency communications action plan and strategy for the Clean Water Fund. The goal of the project is to provide specific recommendations of how to best communicate to key stakeholders and the general public about statewide outcomes and outputs of clean water projects funded by dedicated sales tax revenue.
The goals of the program are to evaluate the effectiveness of agricultural conservation practices, identify underlying processes that affect water quality, and develop technologies to target critical areas of the landscape. Funded projects provide current and accurate scientific data on the environmental impacts of agricultural practices and help to develop or revise agricultural practices that reduce environmental impacts while maintaining farm profitability.
Rising temperatures and increased precipitation contribute to decreased oxygen and increased methane in Minnesota lakes and wetlands. We will identify impacts on water quality and methane emissions, providing management guidance.
A vital part of the Minnesota Historical Society's mission is preserving and making available a wide range of artifacts and materials chronicling our state's history. ACHF support is allowing the Society to create a more comprehensive legacy for future generations through the acquisition of important Minnesota artwork, books and manuscripts.
Art:
Arthur Allie, Street Corner on W. 7th Street in St.
College interns from Minnesota's diverse communities are placed across MNHS in various departments and sites. During their semester-long internships, students have the opportunity to work alongside museum and public history professionals to enhance their skills and apply their knowledge in a professional environment.
College students from underrepresented communities are placed across the Minnesota Historical Society's various departments and sites as interns. During their semester-long internships, the students have the opportunity to work alongside museum professionals to enhance their skills and apply their knowledge in a professional environment. They also participate in learning activities to enrich the internship experience and network with other interns in their cohort.
College student interns representing Minnesota's diverse communities are placed across MNHS in various departments and sites. During their semester-long internships, students have the opportunity to work alongside museum and public history professionals to enhance their skills and apply their knowledge in a professional environment. The activities focus on engaging with MNHS on a deeper level by discussing current issues and trends with staff, sharing intern experiences, and building professional networks.
