Faculty Member Uses Graphic Design, Animation to Develop Program to Teach Children Around the World About Other Cultures
08/28/2018
Contacts for media: Christine Gillette, 978-934-2209 or Christine_Gillette@uml.edu and Nancy Cicco, 978-934-4944 or Nancy_Cicco@uml.edu
LOWELL, Mass. – A UMass Lowell professor of art and design recently returned from sharing her expertise overseas as a Fulbright Scholar.
Assistant Prof. Ingrid Hess of the UMass Lowell Department of Art and Design earned a 2018 honor from the Fulbright Scholar Program, the cultural exchange program designed to improve intercultural and diplomatic relations across the globe.
Hess, an award-winning children’s book author who teaches graphic design, recently returned from teaching in Ireland as a Fulbright specialist. A specialist scholar serves for three years and completes up to two assignments teaching abroad.
“I teach design, but my passions have always included social justice issues: literacy, immigration, fair trade,” said Hess, who incorporates those themes as well as peace, economic justice and diversity into the classes she teaches at UMass Lowell and her children’s books, which include “Sleep in Peace” and “Doodling Dragons.”
On her first international trip as a Fulbright Scholar, Hess spent two weeks this summer at the University of Limerick’s Mary Immaculate College in Ireland, using design to help elementary school teachers incorporate positive messages on cultural diversity into their lessons.
For the project, Hess created both a five-minute motion graphic and eight banners with positive themes about cultural diversity, all geared to elementary students. All of the materials will be available for use by the Irish teachers in their classrooms.
Her work in Ireland included using the experiences of people from that nation, from the discrimination Irish immigrants once faced in the U.S. to the popularity of Irish culture today, as the basis for lessons. Hess, who was born in Costa Rica, also used herself and her family as examples in her designs, including a motion graphic.
Hess who also delivered a lecture to fellow educators in Ireland, has been invited to exhibit her work at the University of Limerick and two nearby museums next year.
Established in 1946 and sponsored by Sen. J. William Fulbright, the Fulbright Scholar Program is funded by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs. About 8,000 grants are awarded each year to representatives from 160 countries. More than 360,000 people have participated in the program since its inception.
In addition to what the Fulbright awards offer faculty, they also “open up new avenues for our students to link up with other communities in teacher-guided trips and overseas collaboration,” said Ellen Wetmore, chairwoman of UMass Lowell’s Department of Art and Design.
UMass Lowell is a national research university located on a high-energy campus in the heart of a global community. The university offers its more than 18,000 students bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in business, education, engineering, fine arts, health, humanities, sciences and social sciences. UMass Lowell delivers high-quality educational programs, vigorous hands-on learning and personal attention from leading faculty and staff, all of which prepare graduates to be ready for work, for life and for all the world offers. www.uml.edu