Our school wants to bone up on history and social studies. I am supposed to research programs or events that would encourage this. Any ideas out there?Thanks in advance.

have you looked into your local museums? Our school has science by van coming in the spring from the science museum in richmond va. Maybe other museums do programs as well. If I think of anything else, I'll post it. Good luck.

Nicurn has a good start with contacting your local museums -- and not just the history museum, talk to the art museum, talk to every museum. I would also contact the local historical societies. You might also talk to any foreign consulates located in your area, and ethnic cultural organizations.

I don't have any contact info myself, but we have used an organization called "Cultural Kaliedescope" (or something like that) with very good results. We recently had a program on Russia, presented by a Russian emigre; on a five point scale, more than half the teachers rated it a five, and the rest rated it a four. I understand the Australian program is waitlisted.

But the best advice: BE CREATIVE! Ask anybody and everybody who might be able to help. We have a touring theatre group coming to town, and our music teacher contacted them about doing a program for the kids. Their response was "we've never been asked that before...sure, I suppose we could do that." When asked what they would charge, their response was "what can you afford". She suggested a price, and they are eagerly putting together a program.