Working with the University of Southern Mississippi, the National Council for History Education and museums, the district will provide a professional development program for 8th-11th grade teachers drawn from 12 LEAs. The program features 12 two-day colloquia during the school year and 3 two-week summer institutes led by historians, master teachers, history education specialists, and museum historians and archivists. Teachers will be paired to develop lesson plans and presentations focused on "Essential Questions" of historical inquiry. An expanded website will extend accessibility of project resources and products to all educators.