A family walks down the pathway toward the USS Yorktown aircraft carrier at Patriots Point, surrounded by American flags and calm waters.
A family walks down the pathway toward the USS Yorktown aircraft carrier at Patriots Point, surrounded by American flags and calm waters.
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Hundreds of SC Social Studies Teachers Hold Conference at Patriots Point

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More than 300 social studies teachers from around South Carolina will gather at Patriots Point this week for the South Carolina Council for the Social Studies annual fall conference.  The teachers, who represent schools all across the state, will be on board the USS Yorktown Thursday September 26th - Saturday September 28th.

The teachers will use the historic vessel as their laboratory for learning new and innovative ways to reach today’s social studies students.  Attendees have 47 sessions available, many which focus on implementing the new Common Core State Standards in the social studies curriculum and presenting information in the digital age.  Members of Patriots Point’s Education Department will also lead some sessions.

“At Patriots Point we share a common bond with these educators,” Executive Director Mac Burdette said.  “We want to preserve history, while at the same time teach students to value and appreciate it themselves.  The way we engage youth is changing and we’ve got to be on top of our game when it comes to attracting them.  We consider ourselves partners with every social studies teacher in South Carolina,” he added.

This is the first year the South Carolina Council for the Social Studies has held their meeting at Patriots Point.

“The reason we chose to come to the Yorktown was to give Social Studies teachers a fresh venue beyond a hotel where conferences usually take place,” Conference Chair Tracee Simpson said.  “Seeing that it is a social studies conference, the opportunities afforded us on a warship were limitless.  Teachers will be able to experience history and take those experiences back to their classrooms to make history come alive to their students,” she added.

Media is invited to attend any portion of the conference; however, Friday is when sessions take place.  Attendees will gather at 9am in the Smokey Stover Theater and sessions run from 10-1pm and 2:30-5:15.  Please contact Holly Jackson at (843) 261-4408 or hjackson@patriotspoint.org with any questions.