PR: "Coins in the Classroom" Course

American Numismatic Association

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 16, 2003
CONTACT: Stephen Bobbitt
Telephone: 719-632-2646 ext. 113
E-mail:

Middle School Teachers Offered
"Coins in the Classroom" Course in Florida
Expense-paid opportunity offered to first 25 qualified applicants

The innovative new course for middle school teachers--"Coins in the
Classroom"--introduced this year by American Numismatic Association (ANA)
will be offered over the year-end holidays in sunny Clearwater Beach,
Florida.
"Specifically designed to help middle school teachers augment their
curriculum in social studies, mathematics and other related disciplines,
this course was an amazing success at ANA's Summer Seminar in July," says
Gail Baker, ANA director of education. "The response was so strong, that
the ANA is offering the expense-paid three-day course at the end of the
year.
"No prior experience with coin collecting is necessary," Baker adds.
"The course demonstrates how the study of coins provides a special and
easy link to various subjects. By examining why coins are made and how
they are used, students gain insight into how societies exist and
function."
A teacher who took the course last summer said, "It was the best
continuing education course he had ever attended." Another teacher
contacted the ANA to see about offering the program to his colleagues
district-wide. A third teacher is using "Coins in the Classroom" for this
year's theme for his school's newspaper.
Middle school teachers taking the course will be involved in
interactive discussions and workshops directed toward understanding how
coins from ancient to modern civilizations in Europe, Asia and the United
States can be used in several curriculum areas. They will have the
opportunity to interact with teachers from throughout the United States as
part of the ANA School of Numismatics.
Taught by Dr. Lane J. Brunner, a numismatist and professor at The
University of Texas, the course is limited to 25 middle school teachers.
Acceptance in the program includes tuition, four nights (December 29-31)
at the Hilton Clearwater Beach Resort, daily buffet breakfast,
transportation reimbursement up to $300, a welcome reception and a New
Year's Eve gala. The ANA will work with participants to secure continuing
education credits. Optional activities and excursions are available for
spouses and children.
"All of the teachers who took the course last summer said they will
use what they learned in their classroom and hope to attend Seminar again
to learn more about numismatics.' Baker says. "The teachers have asked ANA
to establish a list serve so they can stay connected and share curriculum
ideas--an idea we have embraced and their list serve should be operational
later in September."
Chartered by Congress, the American Numismatic Association is the
world's largest, nonprofit educational organization that promotes the
study and collection of coins, paper money, tokens and medals for
research, interpretation and preservation of history and culture from
ancient times to the present. The ANA has more than 30,000 members, and,
through its publications, library and museum, makes available a wide range
of educational exhibits, programs, services and seminars to its members
and the general public.
The ANA will offer its "Coins in the Classroom" course again at the
2004 Summer Seminar in Colorado Springs, Colorado. More than 20 courses
and seven mini-seminars are offered during each of the two one-week
sessions. Classes are held at the ANA and on the campus of Colorado
College. Financial aid is available.
For more information and an application for "Coins in the Classroom"
in Florida, contact Gail Baker, ANA Director of Education, 818 N. Cascade
Ave., Colorado Springs, CO 80903; phone 719-632-2646 ext. 153; e-mail
; or visit the ANA web site at www.money.org.