Bob Simmons, Professor of Classics and Chair of the School of Humanities and Civic Engagement at Monmouth College, and Nathalie Roy, an educator at Glasgow Middle School in Baton Rouge, LA, were one of seven applicant chosen to receive a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities to carry out a Summer Institute as part of the NEH’s Institutes for K-12 Educators program. Their institute is titled “The Ancient Olympics and Daily Life in Ancient Olympia: A Hands-On History”. The duo received $175,000 to host the institute at Monmouth College for 26 selected K-12 teachers from around the United States. Participants in the institute studied and reconstructed the mechanics of a range of ancient Olympic events and of Mediterranean daily life activities, including weaving, concrete construction, and the creation of ink. The educators will take what they learn back to their own students. Professor Simmons and Mrs. Roy, along with three educators taking part in the program, visited the WRAM Morning Show to talk about their experiences and Simmons gave a summary of what’s being taught during the two week institute.
“We’ve been doing a lot of recreation of ancient practices to try immerse people in the ancient world of Greece, based around the idea at the Olympics. Considering what the life was that was going on outside of the Olympics, even as those Balkan games were happening.”
Monmouth College hosted the same institute in 2024. For the entire interview, go to the NEWS PODCAST section.
