Museum Discovery -

The Buffalo Bill Historical Center & Cody High School in Partnership

Since 1998, the Museum Discovery Program has provided numerous juniors and seniors at Cody High School the opportunity to experience and utilize the Buffalo Bill Historical Center collections. Student development in this program is a multi-stage process. The students learn object-based research and writing to prepare oral presentations. Their understanding and ability to share knowledge is then enhanced through preparing lessons and activities for presentation to elementary students.

Partnering Institutions:

· Buffalo Bill Historical Center
· Cody High School
· Elementary Schools
· School Board & School District
· State Standards Board

Innovation in Museum and School Partnerships: The Program Objectives

The main objective of the program is to create a model of museum and school partnerships. In this unique approach, students enjoy learning experiences with museum objects that meet educational standards. Through exposure to the Historical Center and its vast collection, the courses encourage students to become self-directed, lifelong learners. This is accomplished by improving their critical thinking skills, and creating mentoring experiences with elementary-aged learners.

Museum Discovery I

In this introductory level class students increase their knowledge of history, art, natural history, technology, and Plains Indian cultures. This new found knowledge helps students interpretative skills for outreach presentations in elementary classrooms.

Museum Discovery II

In the second level of the program students expand their studies of material culture, investigate career pathways, and build proficiency as mentors. Students conduct in-depth research and write on the art and artifacts in the BBHC collections, and create collaborative mini-exhibits in the community.

• Museum Studies approaches
• Object-based writing and research
• Gallery presentations
• Elementary outreach
• Awareness of career pathways

Who Benefits from Museum Discovery?

The Museum Discovery Program provides the Buffalo Bill Historical Center an opportunity for enhanced community involvement and outreach through the the community's most important resource - it young people. Cody High School and Park County School District #6 also benefit from the program. The course provides interdisciplinary course offerings that provide in-class enrichment and meet educational standards.

Who benefits the most from the Museum Discovery experience?
The Students!

For More Information please contact the Education Department.

Supported in part by a grant from the Wyoming Arts Council, through funding from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Wyoming State Legislature.