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, the Mississippi Arts Commission, the Mississippi Humanities Council, the Mississippi School for Math and Science, and the 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 in-person professional development days.
- Collaborate with teammates via Canvas Unit to develop a instructional plan and implement it in their classrooms.
- Assign, supervise, and document via A/V recording student team projects and explanation of learning.
In-person teacher professional development dates:
- Saturday, Aug. 24 – Mississippi Public Broadcasting in Jackson
- Thursday, Sept. 5 – Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science in Columbus
- Thursday, Oct. 10 – Mississippi Grammy Museum in Cleveland
Teachers receive credit after returning to their schools, implementing instruction, and returning evidence of learning through lesson plans/videos and student team submissions. DaVinci (mpbonline.org)
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 Mississippi Department of Education 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.
For more information or to register, please visit https://www.mpbonline.org/education/classroomresources/davinci/.
See flyer at Day of Da Vinci – Official Flyer.