Mapping the African American Past (MAAP)
Geographic Learning Environment for K-12 Educators in New York State
Project Dates: 2008-2010
Partners: Columbia University Center for New Media Teaching & Learning (CCNMTL), New York Public Library, Teachers College, Creative Curriculum Initiatives, Hofstra University
My Roles: Project Strategy, Information Architecture, Interaction Design, UX Design, UI Design
MAAP is an award-winning public website and geographic learning environment designed to illuminate significant sites and moments in the history of African Americans in New York from the early 17th century to the recent past.
MAAP's encyclopedic location profiles contextualize historic content, bringing to life defining themes like community building, slavery resistance, and the African American cultural contribution to New York City’s development. Model lessons, podcasts, and a mobile version of the site offer educators a variety of strategies and options for incorporating the project’s material into their curricula.
Enhanced by selected film and music clips, photographs, documents, and archival maps from Columbia University and New York Public Libraries — as well as commentary from Columbia faculty and other experts — MAAP was the recipient of the 2009 Award for Innovative Use of Archives from the Archivists Round Table of Metropolitan New York (ART). This award recognizes the use of archival material in a meaningful and creative way, making a significant contribution to a community or body of people and demonstrating the relevance of archival materials to its subjects.
