Lisa Gibson, secondary social studies instructional specialist in the Department of Teaching and Learning, will participate in an educator study tour to Japan June 26 through July 8.

Alumni of the National Consortium for Teaching about Asia program are eligible to apply, and Gibson was selected as one of 10 teachers nationwide to participate by sponsoring organization, Five College Center for East Asian Studies (FCCEAS).

According to the FCCEAS, the goal of the tour is for participants to learn about peace education in Japan and use the knowledge acquired to develop implementation strategies for use in U.S. schools. Participants will visit Hiroshima, Nagasaki and Kyoto; visit museums dedicated to peace and peace education; meet with Japanese teachers and students; and learn from scholars and others involved in peace efforts in Japan.

Gibson will travel overseas with 1,000 origami paper cranes folded by VBCPS high school students. Paper cranes are recognized in Japan as a symbol of peace and good intentions, and students made the cranes in conjunction with social studies lessons about World War II history, the Hiroshima and Nagaski atomic bombs and how societies memorialize tragedies.

“Through exploring the personal story of one survivor of the Hiroshima bombing, Sadako Sasaki, students discussed the concepts of symbolism and the significance of memorials and experienced empathy through art,” explained Gibson. She will present the 1,000 cranes to Sadako’s brother, Masahiro Sasaki, July 2 in Japan.

Gibson and Landstown High School Social Studies Teacher Lindsay Clouser applied for a mini grant awarded by the Virginia Council for the Social Studies to fund all material costs for the paper cranes project. One hundred folded cranes were collected from each of the 11 high schools and strung together in a chain for Gibson to take to Japan.

Upon her return to the U.S., Gibson will present a public talk entitled “1,000 Paper Cranes for Peace” at the Meyera E. Oberndorf Central Public Library Aug. 6 at 7 p.m. Aug. 6 is the 70-year anniversary of the first atomic bomb dropped at Hiroshima during World War II. Gibson also will present a session entitled “Peace Education in Japanese and American Schools: Cross Cultural Exchanges” at both the state and national social studies conferences this fall.

“1,000 Paper Cranes for Peace is a symbolic project that brought history alive for students as well as promoted compassion for something that happened far away and a long time ago. High-impact lessons like this one, lessons that increase global awareness and make learning relevant and personal, are essential components of a humanities education,” said Gibson. “I’m proud to represent VBCPS in Japan this summer and present this gift of peace and friendship on behalf of students and teachers.”