PHILADELPHIA-- Elementary, middle and high school teachers from school districts in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Washington, D.C. will gather on the University of Pennsylvania campus for a June 20-24 seminar designed to broaden their knowledge of Africa and the Arab world.

The 2005 Summer Institute for K-12 Teachers, "Issues in Teaching about Africa and the Arab World: History, Politics, Human Rights and Media Perceptions," will be held in the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology at 3260 South St.  

The program, organized by Penn's African Studies Center and Middle East Center in collaboration with the Penn Museum, coincides with the Philadelphia School District mandate of a new African and African-American history graduation requirement.  

Ali B. Ali-Dinar, director of outreach for the African Studies Center, said 16 of 85 teacher applicants were selected.

"We were overwhelmed by the response from teachers, which confirmed our belief in the huge demand for these activities," Ali-Dinar said.

June 24, the last day of the seminar, has been set aside to explore strategies on "Teaching about Africa and the Arab World."   Participants will hold discussions following presentations, work on preparing lesson plans and dine on foods from the regions.

A significant portion of the K-12 Summer Institute program is funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Education.  Additional information is available at www.africa.upenn.edu/institute.