Students pose outside of the Spencer Museum of Art

Outreach in Our Schools

The KU Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies (CLACS), a designated U.S. Department of Education National Resource Center, is committed to strengthen interdisciplinarity, develop experiential learning opportunities, foster language development, expand regional knowledge, support internationalization of the professional schools, and partner with K-12 schools, community colleges, and other universities. On this page you can find information about upcoming or past workshops, lesson plans, culture trunks, podcasts, and a library of books, maps, videos and more!

Learn About Other Public Events

Photo of educators at the Teaching Toward a Sustainable Future Workshop.

Photo of educators at the Teaching Toward a Sustainable Future Workshop.

Photo of educators at the Teaching the Unexpected Caribbean Workshop.

Photo of educators at the Teaching the Unexpected Caribbean Workshop.

Photo of educators at the Culturally Responsive Teaching in Uncertain Times Workshop.

Photo of educators at the Culturally Responsive Teaching in Uncertain Times Workshop.

Events

Photo of a teacher in front of a classroom of students

Educator Workshops

Professional development workshops designed to help educators incorporate Latin American and Caribbean content into the classroom.

CLACS develops a wide array of workshops and open to all faculty, students, and educators. In partnership with other KU Area Studies Centers or community organizations, we collaborate with educators, faculty, and community experts to host two-to-three workshops annually for Great Plains K-16 educators on a wide variety of pedagogoical and curricular topics. These workshops are meant to help K-16 educators, students, communities, and educational institutions to increase awareness and understanding of Latin America and the Caribbean. We also coordinate or sponsor over 80 events annually, such as lectures, symposia, film screenings, concerts and conferences, so there are many ways for you and your students to learn and engage.

A student works on an assignment in a classroom.

Lesson Plans

Lesson plans designed to help educators incorporate Latin American and Caribbean content into the classroom.
students being introduced to Spanish for Heritage Speakers

World Languages Fair

Inviting students to KU to learn foreign languages.

Learn More

Working in collaboration with KU's Area Studies Centers and KU International Affairs, and in partnership with the Foreign Language Association of Missouri, the Kansas World Language Association and the Kansas Department of Education, the Open Language Resource Center host an annual World Languages Fair on the KU Lawrence campus. The event brings middle- and high-school students to campus for a day focused on exploring world languages and cultures. Sessions include mini-lessons in a range of languages, presentations on target cultures, and discussions of how intercultural competence can enhance different fields of study. Presentations are led by faculty from the University of Kansas, Kansas State University, Benedictine College, Johnson County Community College, Pittsburg State University, and Fort Hays State University. During an extended lunch period there are information booths where students can learn more about language-related scholarships, study abroad opportunities, and internationally-focused student organizations.

How to Register

  • This annual event is free for all participants. All registered attendees receive a free lunch and a free t-shirt and the opportunity to win other prizes. Schools are responsible for transportation costs to the event.

  • Individual students, including those being home-schooled, are also invited to attend and should contact the Open Language Resource Center at olrc@ku.edu to register.

Students sitting with a Portuguese lecturer.

Traveling World Languages Fair

An on-site visit to your school that invites students to learn foreign languages.

The KU Area Studies Centers are eager to visit high-school students on-site for a day focused on exploring world languages and cultures. Presentations are led by faculty from the University of Kansas, where sessions include mini-lessons in a range of languages, presentations on target cultures, and discussions of how intercultural competence can enhance different fields of study. In the past, traveling world language fairs have included languages such as: Portuguese, Chinese, Uyghur, Japanese, Arabic, Kaqchikel, KiSwahili, and Russian.

How to Register

  • On-site visits are free to the school. The exact details of the event are subject to change, pending the needs and desires of the host school. Inquire with the center for more information.

GOE attendees listen to research panels.

Global Opportunities Expo

Inviting students to KU to explore global pathways.

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At the University of Kansas, we seek the next generation of global leaders that appreciate other cultures, languages, and histories, which is why KU has had such a rich international presence that continues to expand and deepen. With expert faculty from around the world, robust global area studies centers, over 40 world languages taught, decades-long partnerships with foreign universities, and dozens of high-quality study abroad programs, students at KU have the opportunity to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to make an impact on the global stage. The University of Kansas, Haskell Indian Nations University, and Donnelly College, the most diverse college in the Midwest, partner annually to showcase exciting and dynamic research and artistic projects undertaken by our faculty and students.

How to Register

  • This event is open to all students. Regional K-12 teachers, community college, and university instructors, lecturers, and school support staff are encouraged to attend.

  • Attendees are allowed to arrive and leave at their leisure – however, you are strongly encouraged to see some amazing student performances and stay for our Exploration of Nations!

Students listening to presentations at the Pan American Summit

Pan American Summit

Inviting students to solve the important issues of today.

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CLACS hosts annual Pan American Summit (PAS), an inter-collegiate all-day event that challenges students to consider and debate ways of resolving the most pressing issues affecting nations in the Americas. Through the experience, students learn about social movements, political ideologies, economic theories, geographic impacts, environmental challenges, and issues of socioeconomic class and ethnic / racial identities in American States. The objective of the summit is to bring people together with the common goal to improve our hemisphere’s development in the twenty-first century. 

How to Register

  • This event is open to all students.

  • Faculty facilitators receive a stipend for the involvement in the summit. Inquire with the center for more information.

Students standing outside with a KU Jayhawk statue.

Latin American and Latinx Studies Showcases

Inviting students to visit KU for a day to learn about global opportunities across the disciplines.

CLACS hosts high school students for a day at KU. Visits are designed to showcase many facets of a global education possible at the university. Students are introduced to multicultural resources, meet with faculty and students at KU, participate in a college class, and visit the Spencer Museum of Art. Exact details of the showcase are subject to change, pending the needs and desires of the visiting school.

How to Register

  • Showcases are open to high school students. Inquire with the center to set a date for a visit.

Interested in Studying Abroad as an Educator?

The Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies offers K-14 educators funding to travel abroad and participate in programs offered at the University of Kansas. This can be an opportunity to gain overseas experience, develop language acquisition, and hone professional development skills! Inquire about the opportunity by contacting CLACS Director, Brent Metz.

Photo of educators at the Spanish Immersion Retreat.

Spanish Immersion Retreat

An immersive Spanish environment for Educators

Learn More