School Projects 
Washington, D.C. 1992: "Columbus Legacy: Hopes, Dreams, and Reality"
Funded by:
- Montgomery County Schools
- Capital Children's Museum
- Russian Delegation of Teachers and Students
- Italian Ministry of Education
The Columbus education program began with a small scale pilot program
at Luxmanor Elementary School in Rockville, Maryland. A resource specialist
with previous experience in Columbus instruction seminars conducted
a workshop for the Luxmanor teachers who were to participate in the
project. In subsequent weeks, the topic of Columbus became a relevant
component of the Luxmanor students' lessons in math, science, social
studies and other subjects. In conjunction with this instruction, Luxmanor's
art teacher worked with the students to develop projects that would
further explore the Columbus themes studied and create the basis for
an exhibition. The Luxmanor children's artwork formed the first of the
"Columbus Legacy" exhibition
s,
which were held at the Capital Children's Museum in January 1992. Congresswoman
Constance Morella, honorary chairperson of the exhibition, officially
opened the show with a private presentation and reception. The guests
included trustees of the Museum, representatives of the National Education
Association and the National Parent Teacher Association, and prominent
members of the Italian American, Hispanic American and Native American
communities, as well as the young artists and their parents. During
the opening of the show, NIAF Vice Chairman Arthur J. Gajarsa presented
Luxmanor's principal with a check for $500 to be used for the purchase
of books on Christopher Columbus.