Lewis & Clark for the 21st Century: Back to School with Lewis & Clark

Beyond Lewis & Clark Exhibition

Military explorers were sent west as early as 1804 to observe and record everything they found. With each expedition, understanding about the American West became more complete. What they learned profoundly changed the nation. This exhibit addresses military explorers from Lewis and Clark (1804) to George Custer (1874). It is the result of a partnership between the Kansas State Historical Society, the Virginia and Washington State historical societies, the U. S. Army's Frontier Army Museum at Leavenworth, and the U. S. Army Center of Military History. - from the Exhibition website

Lemhi Pass

In August of 1805, the Lewis & Clark Expedition crossed the Lemhi Pass. When they did, they answered a question that had been lingering for over 300 years. Is there a water route across the continent? Is there a NorthWest passage? Is there a body of water that can shorten the length of time that commerical traffic can go from Europe to Asia? When Meriwether West reached this beautiful pass, he saw, not the Columbia River as expected, but ranges of ridges extending westward. In the face of disappointment, the character of the Corps of Discovery and their leaders did not quit, but proceeded on into the most difficult section of their journey, the crossing of the Bitteroot Mountains on the Lolo Trail

Indian Post Office

This is a spot along the Lolo Trail, a trail that the Nez Perce Indian traveled from eastern Washington and Idaho to the Buffalo hunting grounds in Montana. It is suspected that these rock cairns were trail markers of sorts. The Lewis & Clark Expedition traveled the Lolo Trail in 1805/06. The Lolo Motorway trail marker has this interpretation. "None of the Lewis and Clark Expedition accounts mentions the presence of rock cairns at this place leading us to believe the route they followed left something of interest. No one has verified what purpose the cairs may have once served. Other mounds of rock can be found elsewhere along the Lolo Trail. Some believe these cairns marked a dividing trail off the main ridge trail. Others say these cairns were a place for early travelers to leave messages for those who would follow. This ara was named Indian Post Office in the early 1900s."

Lolo Motorway Signs

Here are signs that mark the significant stopping points along the Lolo Motorway. From the Clearwater National Forest brochure, Lewis & Clark On the Lolo Trail http://www.fs.fed.us/r1/clearwater/LewisClark/Assets/lolo_trail_corridor.pdf Drive with Care! The Lolo Motorway is narrow, a one-lane road with nothing more than what nature supplies as a surface. Some stretches hold big rocks that can scrape the underside of a low-clearance vehicle. It’s best to drive a tough vehicle with high clearance and good tires. Towing trailers or driving RVs or motor homes on many stretches of the Motorway is not advised. The high elevation route is open and free of snow generally from July through September, sometimes longer. Lightning storms are common in July and August, and snow can come early.

March 12, 2005

Back to School with Lewis & Clark

Ken Leebow pointed me to this important education project developed for use in schools.

If you are a school teacher, you need to get your hands on this valuable tool for commemorating the Lewis & Clark Bicentennial.

The Qwest Foundation Commemorates 200th Anniversary of Lewis & Clark Expedition

Community involvement is an integral part of Qwest^®'s heritage. It's more than just caring...it's a commitment to making a difference in the communities we serve. That's Our Spirit of Service in Action^TM.

The Qwest Foundation, Qwest Communications' giving program, donated $320,000 to the National Council of the Lewis & Clark Bicentennial to help commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Lewis & Clark expedition. The donation will help fund eight bicentennial events in seven states in Qwest's local service territory; a Lewis & Clark educational campaign called "Back to School with Lewis & Clark;" and brochures, posters and other materials.

The Qwest Foundation Makes Lewis & Clark Journey Come Alive for Students

Qwest focuses on enriching the lives of children by supporting K-12 educational programs that enhance school curriculum while stimulating and encouraging the development of young minds. Educating children is the cornerstone for building promising futures, stronger families and healthier communities.

The "Back to School with Lewis & Clark" program was developed to make a 200-year-old historical event relevant for today's students. The program offers educators free CD-ROMS that will allow them to easily incorporate lesson plans on Lewis & Clark into their teaching for grades 4-12.

The curriculum units explore the major themes addressed in Lewis & Clark: The National Bicentennial Exhibition - http://www.lewisandclarkexhibit.org/ - such as preparing for the trip, mapping, warriors/soldiers, politics and diplomacy, animals, trade and property, women, language and plants.

Under the guidance of renowned Lewis & Clark historian Dr. Robert Archibald, President of the Missouri Historical Society, a team of educators from St. Louis and Philadelphia developed the exhibition curriculum.

In addition, Qwest has worked with Peggy Duncan, a nationally known time management specialist, to develop Lewis & Clark "Then and Now" fact sheets. These intriguing fact sheets compare and contrast important events that occurred along the expedition with updated scenarios that demonstrate how video and camera phones, videoconferencing, GPS, Tablet PCs and other innovative technology could have helped the Lewis & Clark expedition save time and energy along their journey.

Click here for more information on the CD-ROMS and here for more information on the "Then and Now" fact sheets.

Sponsored by Qwest Foundation for educational purposes only, providing educational materials to teachers. Not for the purpose of marketing to children.

March 12, 2005 in Education | Permalink

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