We believe that learning about, identifying and defining cultural community is crucial for self discovery in students. As a group, we are seeking to create a Web site which encourages young people (in grades 4-12) to embark on this shared journey of self discovery.
 
 
 
 

Snapshots is a new endeavor of CHICO (Cultural Heritage Initiative for Community Outreach), a project based at the University of Michigan's School of Information. Snapshots encourages students to share their cultural community on the World Wide Web. This project will challenge your students to define their understanding of the idea of "community" and their roles within it.

To encourage children to define and document the art, history and music of their communities using photography and writing To foster dialogue about these cultural communities To create a snapshot of North American cultures from children's perspectives To bring children of different regions together through the Internet To encourage opportunities for children to develop their technological skills through the use of the Internet.

 

Tell us about your world. Is culture something that exists only in museum displays? Or is it as central to you as the air you breathe? CHICO's new Snapshots project will challenge your students to define their understanding of "culture" and "community" both visually and verbally.

Students from Grades 4-12 are invited to share their world by sending us pictures of art, music and history in their neighborhoods, as well as community and local events and festivals. These photos will then be scanned into digital format for an online Web display. (The CHICO team will scan in the photos for your students if you don't have a scanner). For every picture, students are encouraged to write a short story telling why the images in the photos are important and what they want other kids to learn about their world. Students are also encouraged and challenged to think about and discuss these issues of cultural identity in a Web-based chatboard.

WHAT YOU'LL NEED: To complete this project, you will need access to cameras. Traditional 35 mm cameras, digital cameras, and disposibles are all acceptable.

SAFETY ISSUES: Student safety is as important to us as it is to you. Thus, all students will be identified only by their first names or initials. The web chat-board will be protected by password, and all entrants must be approved before establishing a profile.

FINAL PROJECT: A web display of student photos and stories. A world-wide on-line community of students discussing cultural identities.

HOW TO CONTACT US: CHICO (Cultural Heritage Initiative for Community Outreach) is a project based at the University of Michigan's School of Information and is supported by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. CHICO is committed to making cultural heritage materials available online and to fostering community dialogue. For more information about CHICO and the Snaphots project, email us at: Snapshots@umich.edu, or write to us at: