NORMAN — This month, a group of 25 state educators — including one from Norman — will explore Route 66 through Oklahoma during a one-week field expedition.
Norman’s Gary Gress, Oklahoma Alliance for Geographic Education coordinator, wll participate in the program titled “Morphology of the Mother Road: Kicks on 66.”
This travel and research-based institute is an educational initiative of the OKAGE at the University of Oklahoma and is supported by a grant from the Oklahoma Geography Education Fund.
From July 17-22, educators will investigate remaining sections of Route 66 in the state, visit roadside landmarks and museums, meet local experts and conduct comparative community studies of Chandler and Clinton.
“Studying Route 66 allows us to connect present-day geographic concepts with past times,” said Douglas Hurt, OKAGE institute coordinator. “Heritage tourism trends, expressions of popular culture, efforts at community building and economic decline are all visible along Route 66 today. In many ways, the road is a microcosm of American contemporary and historical geography.”
After this summer field experience, participants will develop curriculum and educational materials that will be available through teacher training workshops and publications beginning this fall.
“Expedition members will gain a better understanding of the breadth, importance and legacy of this magnificent highway during the institute, while studying history and geography first hand,” Gress said. “Ultimately, hundreds of Oklahoma students will be impacted as trip participants incorporate institute ideas and materials into their class curriculum.”
