The Mill Project:

AMP’s mill project represents an important milestone in the organization’s history. Until two years ago, AMP’s educational programs grew out of the inspiration and vision of artist Ellen Griesedieck. In 2008 the Alcoa Foundation funded the creation of a curriculum that was piloted with local elementary schools. This collaborative effort involved teachers, the Superintendant of schools and program professionals.

The mill project, AMP’s inaugural statewide educational program will be made available in its final form on our website for teachers and educators. It will be designed so that in can be used as separate modules or in its entirety. There will be video documentary that accompanies the curriculum. Students and groups who make their own mill project will be invited to submit images of the work to AMP’s website.

Highlights of the plan include:

• Creating a replicable curriculum for 4th & 5th graders that is cross disciplinary and incorporates social studies, drama, art, history, english and tech ed
  
  
• Kids will learn about on old mills and factories in Connecticut. Some of these mills are closed, some are currently being used as cultural attractions and some are actively creating CT made products
  
  
• The kids will research these mills, their histories and roles in the industrial revolution and then have field trips to these mills and factories
  
  
• They may put on a play around one of these mills
  
  
• Students will reenact a factory assembly line in their school and invite workers to come and speak with the children
  
  
• The experience will be incorporated into original artwork reflecting each student’s impressions from their experiences
  
  
• The first year will be documented by a videographer, recorded and shared with educators and youth via AMP’s website