The African Studies Program curates thematic Discovery Boxes which include objects related to particular activities, topics, or cultural contexts for hands-on exploration in the classroom.
These boxes are FREE lending resources for educators. African Studies Program will pay for shipping to and from your school!
Interested in becoming a Discovery Box Curator? Learn more here.
The following African Studies Discovery Boxes are available for loan in your classroom: You can request a box(es) here.
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Botswana Discovery Box
This discovery box includes items from daily life in Botswana, with an emphasis on items used in education such as school uniforms, an O-level exam, and HIV/AIDS public education materials. This box was created by Wisconsin high school students who traveled to Botswana with the local organization CEOs of Tomorrow, in partnership with students from Botswana.
Rwanda Discovery Box
Enhance your students’ understanding of Rwanda’s history and culture by borrowing our Rwanda Discovery Box.
Sierra Leone Discovery Box
Is your class reading Ishmael Beah’s A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier ? Give your students a hands-on learning experience with this discovery box of cultural items from Sierra Leone.
Uganda Discovery Box
This box includes items from daily life in Uganda and is a great way to share contemporary Ugandan culture with students.
African Fashion and the Politics of Clothing
This box features clothing and accessories from all across the continent. It highlights the way that clothing is used, both as a part of daily life and as a way of conveying special meanings.
Swahili Discovery Box
This box includes items important to Swahili coast culture and a set of kangas (east African fabrics) which include Swahili phrases.
"Things Fall Apart" Discovery Box
Are your students reading Chinua Achebe’s classic novel Things Fall Apart? Borrow our Things Fall Apart discovery box to supplement and enrich your lessons with material culture items from Nigeria.
We have been working in partnership with other area studies centers at the university to create Discovery Boxes for other parts of the world. The following Discovery Boxes are also available for loan in your classroom:
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Indonesian Afterschool Games and Activities Discovery Box
This box gives the gift of play to your classroom. It features games and after-school activities that bring joy to Indonesian children. This box provides a great way to share Indonesian culture while emphasizing the universality of play and fun.
Multicultural Singapore Discovery Box
This box shows off the dynamic multiculturalism found in Singapore. It includes materials from the Chinese, Malay, and Indian communities and helps to demonstrate the unique way that these communities coexist in the city-state.
Ecuador Discovery Box
This box is a collection of items from across Ecuador, sharing details about the lives of Ecuadorians and some of their connections to the important landscapes that they live in.
More Coming Soon!
If you are interested in borrowing a Discovery Box, please contact outreach@africa.wisc.edu.