Tailored Classroom Visits
Learning about Africa helps students see the world more clearly, think critically, and appreciate cultures beyond their own. Africa is a diverse and vibrant continent full of rich traditions, languages, histories, and innovations that every student should explore. At the Center for African Studies, our K-16 Education Program is here to help you bring Africa into your classroom in fun and meaningful ways.
We work with schools and community groups to connect students with people from Africa who share real stories, experiences, and knowledge. These encounters help break down stereotypes, spark curiosity, and build global understanding.
Ways we can support your school or program:
Invite a Guest Speaker. We can help you find the right speaker, whether it is a university student from Africa, a community member, or a professor. They can speak with your students about a wide range of topics, including daily life in different African countries, music, culture, education, food, and climate issues. If your school is outside Pittsburgh, we are happy to arrange a Zoom session.
Visit Our Campus. We welcome school groups to the University of Pittsburgh. During your visit, students can explore the African Studies Center, meet with African scholars and students, tour the African Studies Library and Teaching Africa collection, and attend a live presentation or workshop. As part of the visit, students can also tour the Nationality Rooms in the Cathedral of Learning, a unique collection of classrooms that represent cultures from around the world, including African heritage rooms. This is a great way to help students see how African cultures are celebrated and preserved in Pittsburgh.
Cultural Experiences in Your Classroom
Our outreach team, including Fulbright Language Teaching Assistants and African students, regularly visits schools to lead fun, interactive, and hands-on sessions. These can be shaped to fit your class’ needs and age groups. Activities may include:
- African languages and greetings (Swahili, Amharic, Yoruba, Akan/Twi)
- Storytelling, folktales, and oral traditions
- History, kingdoms, and great leaders of Africa
- Arts, crafts, and music-making
- Traditional dances and cultural performances
- Clothing, fashion, and lifestyle
- Holidays, festivals, and celebrations
- Food and coffee cooking demonstrations
- Animals and wildlife in different African regions
- Schools and daily life for kids in Africa
- Games and sports, including soccer and local games
- Religion, spirituality, and community life
- Geography, climate, and the environment
- Technology, innovation, and youth creativity in modern Africa
These sessions introduce students to the richness and diversity of African life while helping them make connections between Africa and their own communities.