Aztec and Maya Leaders FAQ

Aztec and Maya Leaders streams live to your classroom for an interactive discussion that highlights the monuments, buildings, and symbols associated with royal power in Maya and Aztec civilizations. Students learn to read the man-made landscape to understand the impact of ancient monarchies. A museum educator shares a duplicate codex, architectural models, rare stele, altars, and an obsidian sword as he asks and answers students’ questions. A companion PowerPoint slide show provides maps and photographic support to put the artifacts in context. (Grades 5– 8)

The Aztec and Maya Leaders program includes

  • A scheduled phone call with the classroom teacher prior to broadcast.
  • A test broadcast to confirm connections.
  • An optional PowerPoint slide presentation to run concurrently with the broadcast.
  • A pre-visit resource packet with three student activities.
  • A 50-minute live webcam (Skype) session with a museum educator.

Technical Requirements

  • A movie screen or large blank wall to show the PowerPoint and the live webcam.
  • A computer with hard-wired access to the school internet (Wi-Fi is not effective for consistent live-streaming video and audio.)
  • Two (2) projectors and a second computer: one computer (wired connection noted above) projects the live broadcast and the other computer projects the PowerPoint slides. The basic program may be broadcast without the slides and with just one projector and one computer.
  • A free Skype account.

Reservations

Please contact Reservations at 617-495-3216 or send your requested date, number of students, grade level of students, school name and contact information to the Reservations Assistant at PMAE-Ed@hmsc.harvard.edu. You will be contacted quickly to finalize details.

Payment

  • Payment is made in advance of the live class and must be received by the scheduled live class date. Note this is different than the museum’s field trip policy which allows payment on the day of the program.
  • Fee is $150 for up to 50 students. Your school may be eligible for a reduced fee based upon the percentage of students receiving free or reduced lunch at your school. The Reservations assistant can identify eligible schools and discuss eligibility.
  • Use a credit card or a single check for one or more programs made out to Harvard University. Mail checks to Cathy Kittredge, Reservations Assistant, Education Department, 26 Oxford Street, Cambridge, MA 02138.

Prepping for the Livestream

  • After reservation and payment, look out for an email scheduling a brief phone meeting the week before the broadcast to confirm set-up requirements and outline procedures. This phone meeting will review what to do in case audio or video breaks down, receiving PowerPoint slides, managing student questions and other concerns.
  • Please schedule a day and time for this phone call via this email. If you have email issues, educators can be reached at 617-495-2808.