You may be surprised at all that you’ll find on KnowItAll.org!
There’s so much to explore, we want to help you to get right to it - but first…
There are three items we’d like to share with you – this month on KnowItAll.org!
For your convenience, this information has been published as four separate blogs.
Please find them at the links below!
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What’s at the Top – Our top 20 sites on KnowItAll.org
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What’s Needed – Science and Math content
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What’s New on KnowItAll: A Recap of Content Added to KnowItAll.org in the Past Year
NEW ON KNOWITALL.ORG!
JUST ADDED! OUR NEW CARRICK CREEK INTERACTIVE – SEE BELOW!
RiverVenture
RiverVenture is the story of South Carolina's cultural and natural landscape as told by its rivers. Take a virtual "float-trip" across South Carolina, following the Saluda, the Congaree, the Santee, the Cooper, and the Catawba Rivers.
From the Appalachian Mountains, the Catawba River south through the Carolina Piedmont, where it becomes the Wateree River and eventually flows out to the Atlantic Ocean as the Santee River. From the earliest Native Americans to present day kayakers, people have always been drawn to the power of the Catawba River. On your Catawba RiverVenture you will explore several areas of the river that tell the stories of how the Catawba River has shaped the land and our history, and how we are still connected to the river today.
While you may recognize some present day landmarks on your journey, your Catawba RiverVenture is a virtual trip and doesn't represent the true distances between these landmarks.
- Estuary | RiverVenture
RiverVenture needs your help!
Riverventure Headquarters has heard reports of problems in the estuary. A sign warns people not to collect or eat shellfish such as oysters and clams. People are testing the water for strange reaons...
- Find out why the shellfish bed in this area has been closed.
- What are other potential problems for the estuary?
- Gather clues and file a River Wrap Report when you're ready!
The panorama is full of objects, some obvious and others hidden. Scroll over the landscape and see how many you can find!
For Educators
Students engage in a scientific mystery that they solve by exploring interactive panoramic images of Charleston, SC and picking up clues along the way. This module focuses on the estuary, the point where fresh water meets salt water, and problems that pollution causes for creatures in this environment. After students learn about runoff, building booms, point source pollutants, and the dilution solution they are asked 10 quiz questions to solve the mystery in the River Wrap.
Table Rock Park is one of the most popular attractions in the South Carolina State Park system. Carrick Creek Falls is one of the largest and most photographed waterfalls along the trail, and a visitor can easily access its plunge pool from the trail.
After floating through the hilly Piedmont, you arrive at the Sandhills of South Carolina. Between 55 and 100 million years ago the sea level was higher and the coast was farther inland. Marine fossils and beach sand remain as evidence of the ancient beachfront in the Sandhills. Over millions of years, the sea level dropped and by 10,000 BCE humans occupied the central area of the state.
For Educators
Students engage in a scientific mystery that they solve by exploring interactive panoramic images of Columbia, SC and picking up clues along the way. Along the waterways they study the history, geography, ecology, plants and wildlife of this region and also learn how rivers were instrumental in forming this historic city.
We also are very pleased to feature Clubwomen, the Pollitzer Sisters & the Vote from our series, Sisterhood: SC Suffragists:
Sisterhood: SC Suffragists
Clubwomen, the Pollitzer Sisters & the Vote
As the national debate for suffrage came to the fore, South Carolina women were increasingly drawn into the movement for social and educational reform. From the Women's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU) to the Equal Suffrage Leagues (ESL) to the burgeoning women's club movement, numerous groups - both Black and White - mobilized and took valiant stands as the fight for suffrage intensified. Susan Pringle Frost, Eulalie Salley, Marion Birnie Wilkinson and the Pollitzer Sisters - Mabel, Carrie, and Anita, daughters of a prominent Jewish family from Charleston - are among the oft-overlooked and forgotten rebels in the Palmetto State. Their tireless efforts contributed greatly to the women's rights movement and the fight for the female vote!
South Carolina, a mostly rural state in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, was racially divided and impoverished after Reconstruction. Its economy was mainly agrarian, growing crops such as cotton and tobacco. Rights for women, both Black and White, were severely limited. The heart of this story is the decades long struggle for women’s fight for the right to vote.
Prior to the Pollitzers, earlier South Carolina women who advocated for women’s rights were the Grimke sisters, and the Rollin sisters. After Reconstruction, women began to embrace another platform. In addition to opposing alcohol, the Temperance movement opened the door to focusing on other issues, and enabled women to hone their leadership skills. Sallie Chapin, Virginia Durant Young, and Louisa Poppenheim played crucial roles in improving social issues in South Carolina. By 1890, Young was the figurehead in South Carolina’s efforts to revive the fight for women’s suffrage, but was focused on only White women getting the right. Young founded the S.C. Equal Rights Association (SCERA) in 1890, and became affiliated with the National American Women Suffrage Association (NAWSA). Many women’s clubs, although segregated, sprang up across the country in the late 1800’s. Many of these clubs focused on similar issues, but were unable to effectively combat these issues due to racial tensions.
Beginning in 1899, the Poppenheim sisters published a monthly magazine called The Keystone. The magazine pointed out the manner in which the Confederate “Lost Cause” movement celebrated the Confederacy and suffused White middle and upper class society. This club movement by both Black and White middle class women were parallel; out of this particular movement came offshoots which dealt with suffrage. Marion Bernie Wilkinson of Charleston, SC became the most important Black club woman in the state. Wilkinson founded the SC Federation of Colored Women’s Clubs in 1909, which becomes an important organization in the state. Wilkinson was also active in the National Association of Colored Women, and very involved in a network of Black professional women who led reform efforts in cities across the U.S.
At the beginning of the twentieth century, the national movement for women’s suffrage surged ahead. The day before President Woodrow Wilson’s first inauguration, a parade held in Washington, D.C. brought new inspiration and attention to the call for a constitutional amendment guaranteeing women the right to vote. This led to a new generation of South Carolina women to advocate for the vote.
Support for women’s right to vote was growing in South Carolina. A custody battle and scandal between two legendary SC families gave the women’s suffrage movement a boost in SC. Lucy Pickens Dugas was married to Benjamin Tillman III, son of the infamous “Pitchfork” Ben Tillman. Their marriage fell apart, and the custody of the children eventually made its way to the SC Supreme Court. The case caught the attention of the local and national press; women from across SC wrote to The State newspaper denouncing Tillman. The court ruled in favor of Lucy, and what it did was open the eyes of many other women, like Eulalie Salley. Salley, from Aiken, SC became heavily involved in the women’s suffrage movement as a result of the Tillman scandal.
In the early twentieth century, a trio of sisters from Charleston, SC, known as the Pollitzer sisters (Carrie, Mabel, and Anita) embraced the opportunities for social reform. The Pollitzers came from a prominent, wealthy Jewish family, who were active members of Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim, the birthplace of Reform Judaism in America. The Pollitzer sisters, inspired by their father, actively took part in reform movements at the local and national levels, at a time when the Jewish community was not supporting suffrage. By moving within the art and political circles in the Jewish community, the Pollitzer sisters were able to gain momentum with their suffrage movement in Charleston. Carrie Pollitzer was crucial in getting the College of Charleston to admit women. Mabel Pollitzer opened Charleston’s first public library, and taught biology at Memminger High School for over forty years. Anita, the youngest of the Pollitzers, studied art at Columbia University in New York. While there, she befriended a young Georgia O’Keeffe, who was an unknown artist at that time. Although Anita spent most of her life outside of Charleston, she became one of South Carolina’s most well-known suffragists.
Prior to the Pollitzers, earlier South Carolina women who advocated for women’s rights were the Grimke sisters, and the Rollin sisters. After Reconstruction, women began to embrace another platform. In addition to opposing alcohol, the Temperance movement opened the door to focusing on other issues, and enabled women to hone their leadership skills. Sallie Chapin, Virginia Durant Young, and Louisa Poppenheim played crucial roles in improving social issues in South Carolina. By 1890, Young was the figurehead in South Carolina’s efforts to revive the fight for women’s suffrage, but was focused on only White women getting the right. Young founded the S.C. Equal Rights Association (SCERA) in 1890, and became affiliated with the National American Women Suffrage Association (NAWSA). Many women’s clubs, although segregated, sprang up across the country in the late 1800’s. Many of these clubs focused on similar issues, but were unable to effectively combat these issues due to racial tensions.
Susan Pringle Frost, a mentor to the Pollitzer sisters, was the founder of the Charleston Equal Suffrage League. Anita Pollitzer went to work for that National American Women Suffrage Association. While there, she befriends Alice Paul, one of America’s most prominent figures for women’s suffrage in America. Paul was influenced by the more radical British suffragists, and her experiences in England fueled her advocacy for suffrage in America. Paul broke away from the National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA) to form the more militant National Woman’s Party (NWP). The NWP was publicly chastised in America for putting women’s rights before war efforts during World War I. In 1919, the NWP led a campaign by train to urge political leaders to support women’s suffrage; Anita Pollitzer made sure the campaign’s first stop was Charleston, SC.
Leaders throughout the U.S. became horrified at the horrendous treatment NWP suffragists went through in prison. This helped change President Woodrow Wilson’s stance on women’s suffrage, and endorsed the vote for women. Anita Pollitzer was sent to Tennessee to urge state representative Harry Burn to vote for the 19th Amendment’s ratification. The vote in Tennessee passed, and the 19th Amendment was ratified on August 18, 1920. The right to vote could no longer be denied on basis of sex. Unfortunately, South Carolina would not ratify the 19th Amendment until 1969.
More Recent Additions to KnowItAll.org
Focusing The Universe (NETA)
Focusing the Universe tells part of the story of modern astronomy by detailing the development of Steward Observatory. From stars observed through one telescope in Tucson, to the construction of the largest telescope mirrors for the largest earth-based telescope, to precision cameras launched into space to search for the origins of the big bang, astronomers linked to Steward Observatory have made significant world-wide contributions to the exploration of the universe. The program features two timely and relevant astronomical developments; the launch of the James Webb Space telescope (designed to search for the origins of the Big Bang) set for launch March 30, 2021 and the creation of mirrors for the Giant Magellan telescope (set to be the largest terrestrial telescope when it gathers first light in 2021).
EXPIRES: 1/8/2022
Game On: Women Can Coach (NETA)
While there has been an explosion of women participating in athletics since Title IX, only about 40% of them are currently coached by women. When Title IX was enacted that number was 90%. Game On: Women Can Coach explores why women coaches matter and celebrates some women pioneers including four time national champion Head Coach and General Manager of the WNBA's Minnesota Lynx, Cheryl Reeve and the World Cup winning Head Coach of the USA Women's Soccer team, Jill Ellis. It also explores the barriers women face, the research by leading academics into the shocking statistic and dispels false narratives about women coaching.
EXPIRES: 11/15/2021
south carolina african american history calendar:
june honorees - willis and clara langley
Willis and Clara Langley are natives of Washington, N.C. After high school, Willis attended Elizabeth City State University and Clara attended North Carolina Central University. They married in Chocowinity, N.C. and upon Willis’s graduation they moved to Smithfield, N.C. both acquiring jobs in education.
In 1973, Willis decided to change his career path. During the job search, Willis came across a Manager Trainee position at McDonald’s and after several interviews, he was accepted into the Manager Trainee Program. He swiftly climbed the corporate ladder, being promoted from assistant manager, to store manager, to field consultant, and finally Operations manager for Southeast Washington D.C. and South Maryland. After evaluating several potential stores and locations, dreams became a reality in 1986 when Willis and Clara purchased their first McDonald’s restaurant in Columbia, S.C.
They were the first African American couple to purchase a McDonald’s in the city of Columbia. Although S.C. transplants, their thirty-four-year tenure in Columbia has made them seem more like natives. They are faithful members of First Nazareth Baptist church where Willis serves as the Chairman of the Child Development Center and the couple serve on the Deacon and Deaconess Ministry.
Willis is former Vice-Chairman of the Columbia Urban League, former member of Elizabeth City State University Foundation Board, member of the Columbia Chamber of Commerce, former member of Columbia Rotary Club, Boy Scouts of America Board, and former President of the Greenville Region Black McDonald’s Operators Association. He is currently a member of the Decker Boulevard Coalition Board, National McDonald’s Operators Association, Black McDonald’s Operators Association, and a life member of the NAACP.
Clara serves as a member of the City Center Partnership Committee, the Columbia Urban League Guild, and is a life member of the NAACP. She is a former member of the City of Columbia Park and Recreation Board, Richland Northeast Superintendent Business Advisory Board, Elizabeth City State University Foundation, and the Carillon Holiday Parade Board. They have three children and seven grandchildren.
Presented through a partnership between the South Carolina Department of Education and South Carolina ETV.
View the series on Knowitall.org here.
View the videos:
Download the SC African American History Calendar here.
Be sure to visit our Knowitall Factoids at the beginning of each month to view the
DATES FOR YOUR CALENDAR AND KNOWITALL RESOURCES! The June events are listed here!
*** Please note: The ETV Education newsletter will be sent on the first Monday of the month beginning with the August 2021 issue. This summer we will work to enhance our Holidays and Observances Collection and Knowitall Factoid Series. These real-time resources will be helpful for planning teacher lessons, classroom celebrations, family discussions, and more at any point during the year. ***
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