Teaching on Contemporary Africa in K-5 Classrooms

The African Studies Center (ASC) in partnership with North Carolina educators and researchers have developed digital resources for teaching on contemporary Africa in elementary school classrooms. With a current focus on Ghana and Senegal, our Teaching Africa website is a collection of lesson plans, videos, photographs, and other digital content on contemporary art, music, and social studies. Take a look!

Teacher Field Trips

ASC sponsors teacher field trips to bring more African content into the classroom. In summer 2025, we are inaugurating an “Africa to Carolina” overnight K-12 teacher field trip to Historic Edenton and Somerset Place. Teachers will earn CEUs and are expected to submit a lesson plan that ASC can post to its website. Learn more and express your interest in attending here.

Culture Kits

Filled with hands-on objects used in everyday life, ASC designed its culture kits in consultation with K-12 educators. With close to twenty culture kits to choose from, the kits include instructions for art projects, games, and recipes, as well as objects such as school uniforms, religious materials, household staples, books, and toys. The kits are free to borrow for K-14 instructors. ASC will pay for shipping in both directions. The culture kits can be reserved via Google form.

Resources for French Teachers

Check out our curation of lesson plans and supplemental materials to support French language learning in K-12 classrooms.

Professional Development

ASC sponsors professional development opportunities for K-12 teachers and college instructors. Many of these events are free and/or offer Continuing Education Units. Visit our events page to view upcoming opportunities.

Our Partners

ASC collaborates with other area studies centers and universities to bring qualitative programming to educators. The UNC Area Studies Centers co-sponsor a number of events together. The African Studies Association Outreach Council consolidates resources and provides professional development opportunities in tandem with higher education institutions nationwide.