ECHO

New Bedford ECHO Project

The New Bedford ECHO Project is a unique collaboration between the New Bedford Oceanarium--trading as the Ocean Explorium--and the New Bedford Whaling Museum. The New Bedford ECHO Project initiatives include cultural exchanges, collections sharing, internship and apprentice programs, and ocean learning activities. Additionally, the Ocean Explorium and the New Bedford Whaling Museum offer educational experiences. The New Bedford Whaling Museum works primarily with students and their teachers in the areas of history, culture, and marine science. The Ocean Explorium focuses on teacher education through professional and curriculum development initiatives of the Connecting Oceans Academy.

What is Echo?

ECHO is an educational and cultural enrichment initiative, annually serving thousands of children and adults in Alaska, Hawaii and Massachusetts. Established by Congress as part of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, ECHO brings innovative programs collaboratively produced by the regional cultural institutions to culturally diverse audiences.

ECHO programs amplify educational benefits, foster greater appreciation of local and national history and the natural environment, and assist communities in maximizing the social benefits of new technologies. The ECHO Partners include the Alaska Native Heritage Center and North Slope Borough in Alaska; the Bishop Museum in Hawai`i; the New Bedford ECHO Project including the New Bedford Whaling Museum and the New Bedford Oceanarium collaborating with the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth; the Peabody Essex Museum in Massachusetts; and the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians.

The educational programs shared though this partnership embrace educational and cultural exchanges between schools, museums, and communities at many levels. The programs bring together tradition bearers, elders, and young people in shared learning experiences. Significant outcomes include exhibits, collections access, teacher professional education, the development of curriculum materials, and distance learning through the Internet, digital media, and videoconferencing. Program planners have successfully balanced direct human interaction with the most modern technologies.

Learn more at ECHOSpace >>