Museum and School Partnership Earns National Award

A video project detailing Halifax's historic role in the Titanic tragedy has been recognized by the Canadian Museums Association, thanks to collaboration between the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic and École Grosvenor Wentworth Park School in Halifax.

In 2011, as part of the Reel History Project, Grade 5 students from the school visited the museum, the Nova Scotia Archives and other locations in Halifax to film a 10-minute news report on the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic.

In April, the Canadian Museums Association and the Canadian Teachers' Federation presented the museum with the Museums and School Partnership Award for the project. The museum presented the award to the school today, May 16.

"I'd like to congratulate our staff and École Grosvenor Wentworth Park School on a wonderful partnership," said David Wilson, Minister of Communities, Culture and Heritage. "Combining writing and presentation skills and video camera operation with history allows students to gain a fundamental understanding of our province's heritage."

Andrew Stickings, a teacher at the school, started the Reel History Project in 2007 as part of the Kids Eye Witness News program by Panasonic. Mr. Stickings leads the project each year with his class. He is currently teaching in Australia and will return to the school in the winter.

"I would like to thank the Canadian Museums Association for this prestigious award and I would like to thank the students of Grade 5 Stickings class for all their hard work in bringing the Reel History Project to life. It gives me great pride to see students so committed to a project," said Mr. Stickings. "I would also like to thank the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic for its support in helping us make our films as real as possible."

Christine Sykora, curator of education and visitor experience at the museum, has co-ordinated filming at the museum since the project began. The museum confirms dates for filming at the museum and on the CSS Acadia and ensures staff are available to answer students' questions and participate in interviews.

"The partnership with the museum helped provide our students with an opportunity for hands-on learning," said Lynn Corkum, principal, École Grosvenor Wentworth Park School. "This kind of partnership is what 21st century learning is all about -- promoting creativity, collaboration and innovation."

The video can be seen at http://museum.gov.ns.ca/mma .