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Miami University Hamilton has been awarded a $1 million Teaching American History (TAH) grant. It's the campus' fourth TAH grant, an unprecedented feat.
The U.S. Department of Education (DOE) and its Congressional Civics Academy have awarded Miami Hamilton $4.4 million in grants over the last five years, including four Teaching American History (TAH) grants and one civics academy grant.
Together, the five grants represent the most that any college or university in Ohio has received from the DOE since 2003, allowing the campus to reach out to scores of area school teachers and students with professional development and pre-college programs, respectively.
"We were informed by the U.S. Department of Education that our recently-funded fourth TAH grant was the second ranked proposal in the country, out of 121 that were funded among more than 500 proposals submitted," said Daniel Hall, Miami Hamilton campus dean.
"This is a real mark of distinction for our program, and it speaks volumes about the caliber of work being done by a dedicated team of faculty and staff members led by Dr. Michael Carrafiello (assistant dean and TAH program administrator)," Hall said.
Through the TAH grants, Miami Hamilton partners with Fairfield, Hamilton, Middletown, Northwest, Mason, and Princeton school districts. Each grant provides three years of seminars and five-day summer institutes for 50 social studies/history instructors teaching grades 4-12. The program is designed to improve teachers' knowledge, understanding, and appreciation of traditional American history.
"It enriches the teaching of American history for scores of teachers, and hundreds of students benefit from enriched American history instruction," Carrafiello said.
Camp Journey to Freedom is a three-year Civics Academy grant entering its second year, and one of only two awarded nationally in 2006. This program is particularly meaningful because it enables the campus to reach out directly to 120 high school juniors and seniors with preference given to low-income students, according to Carrafiello.
Each summer, 40 students representing dozens of school districts throughout the Tri-State area live for two weeks at Camp Campbell Gard in St. Clair Township. The students take part in educational and outdoor activities, go on field trips, and receive instruction in American history and government at Miami's Hamilton campus. Each camper also receives a $500 scholarship to the college of their choice, and a free digital camera to record and share their experience on the internet by creating podcasts and blogs.
"It is a terrific opportunity for students to learn about our nation's search for freedom and civil rights while having a great summer camp experience," said Martin Johnson, program director.
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