April 2012 Meeting

Relics, Artifacts, and Educational Tools:

Cultural Heritage Conservation through Education at Kumatzim Jay, Tecpán Guatemala, Chimaltenango, Guatemala

Meeting, 7:00 pm, Sumner School, Rotating Gallery G-4

Although multicultural education is highlighted in the newly developed curriculum for public primary education in Guatemala in line with the Peace Accords, formalized teaching of local history and themes on cultural identity in the classrooms remains minimal. In order to build a bridge between the local community members and the prehispanic history of the area, the Kumatzim Jay Museum and Educational Center Project was launched in Tecpán Guatemala, Guatemala. Based on the current temporary exhibition, the project objective consists of constructing an interactive museum and educational center, with its collection becoming an educational resource for teaching local history and culture. Specifically, it is hoped the collection will serve as the didactic materials for the teaching modules. The modules are designed to be used to primarily teach the subject areas of Social Sciences and Maya Mathematics, both with an emphasis on heritage celebration and conservation. The results of the first phase are presented, which include artifact registry, analysis, and documentation as well as initial development of the modules. The project aims to generate an active dialogue between community members, educators, and archaeologists, articulating the concepts and meanings of relics, educational tools, and artifacts.

Reiko Ishihara-Brito recently completed her tenure as Post-doctoral Associate in Maya studies at Dumbarton Oaks Research Library and Collection, where she edited and authored the upcoming publication of Ancient Maya Art at Dumbarton Oaks. She has conducted archaeological fieldwork in Belize, Guatemala, Mexico, Japan, and the United States, with much of her work focusing on prehispanic uses of caves in the Maya area. Although her academic training is in archaeology, her more recent research interests and experiences are broad, including cultural heritage conservation and public education in Central America.

How to get there:  The Sumner School is located at 1201 17th St NW (corner of 17th St and M St NW).  The entrance to the meeting area is on 17th St under the black metal stairway. Directions from Metro Red Line: From Farragut North station, take either L St exit, walk one block east to 17th St, turn left and walk 2 blocks north.  Enter the building through the double doors under the black metal staircase.  NEW MEETING ROOM:  Rotating Gallery G-4 (ground floor)

Pre-meeting:  Beacon Bar & Grill (one block north of Sumner School)

How to get there:  The Beacon Bar & Grill is in the Beacon Hotel located at 1615 Rhode Island Ave NW (corner of Rhode Island and 17th St).  Directions from Metro Red Line Farragut North station: take either L St exit, walk one block east to 17th St, turn left and walk 3 blocks north (one block past Sumner School).  All are welcome.