A new Ken Burns film about Leonardo da Vinci will air nationally on PBS in November 2024, and Mississippi Public Broadcasting (MPB) Learning has planned a statewide educational project to engage the community and support the premiere.
The MPB team has partnered with the Mississippi Department of Education, Mississippi Arts Commission, Mississippi Humanities Council, Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science and Mississippi School of the Arts on a project that centers on professional development for teachers. In turn, it will provide rich and engaging instruction for students.
“A Day of da Vinci” offers teachers in the state’s school districts lesson plans to promote K-12 interdisciplinary STEAM instruction. Through training in July, August, and September 2024 and classroom implementation through the fall, participating teachers will receive CEUs counting toward teacher licensure.
To receive the three free CEUs, teachers must complete the following steps:
- Participate in one of the live Day of da Vinci professional development days.
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- Wednesday, Aug. 14 – Mississippi School for the Arts in Brookhaven
- Thursday, Sept. 5 – Mississippi School for Mathematics & Science in Columbus
- Collaborate with teammates via Canvas Unit to develop instructional plan and implement in their classrooms.
- Assign, supervise, and document via A/V recording student team projects and explanation of learning.
Teachers receive credit after returning to their schools, implementing instruction, and returning evidence of learning through lesson plans/videos and student team submissions.
Grade level bands: PK-2; 3-5; 6-8; 9-12
Important Dates:
- July – September 2024: Teacher Professional Development
- September 2024 – Teacher Classroom Implementation
- October 2024 – Teacher/Student Competitions
- November 2024 – Awards Ceremony and Leonardo da Vinci Screening (Open to student and teacher winners with parents and administrators)
- February 2025 – Governor’s Arts Awards (Teachers and guests)
“Leonardo da Vinci” is a production of Florentine Films and WETA Washington, D.C. It is directed by Ken Burns, Sarah Burns and David McMahon. The film weaves together an international group of experts, as well as others influenced by da Vinci who continue to find a connection between his artistic and scientific explorations and life today.
Infused movie clips will demonstrate concepts and inspire creative thinking while introducing the foundational concepts of MDE STEAM content standards.
DaVinci’s body of work provides intriguing foundations for science concepts in physics, anatomy, and physiology; technology and engineering concepts in robotics, avionics, and aviation; and geometric concepts in math courses. They are all inextricably linked to the arts and humanities.
See flyer for details Day of Da Vinci – Official Flyer
For more information and to register for one of the professional development sessions, please visit www.mpbonline.org/education/classroomresources/davinci/. For inquiries, please contact Dr. Marvin H. Jeter, MPB Chief of Staff at marvin.jeter@mpbonline.org.