Educator Resources Major Taylor - Indiana State Museum

"MAJOR TAYLOR: FASTEST CYCLIST IN THE WORLD" EDUCATOR RESOURCES

Major Taylor: Fastest Cyclist in the World (March 5 through Oct. 23, 2022) explores Taylor’s legacy, the sport of cycling, bicycle design and technology, and the roles bicycles play in our lives today. Here students can assemble bicycles to test their engineering skills and race against one another on stationary bikes. They can get up close to personal items like Taylor’s original scrapbooks inside a 1900s-era training room, and see one of his bikes on loan from the U.S. Bicycling Hall of Fame! Inside the Bicycle Shop, students can inspect an “exploded” bike to see how each part functions and how it affects the overall bike design, plus much more.

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Curriculum Kit Educator Guide Major Taylor Timeline Tour Major Taylor Exhibit

Get the most out of our exhibit

Take your field trip to the next level and schedule your visit during one of the dates below.

Nine13sports

Fridays: April 15, April 29, May 6, May 13, May 20, Sept. 16, Oct. 7, Oct. 21: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Saturdays: June 11, June 25, July 9, July 23, July 30: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Major Taylor Festival: June 18, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Hop on the multi rider Kids Riding Bikes race simulator with your friends and see if you are as fast as Major Taylor was when he set the world record! Coaches from Nine13sports will be there to cheer you on and provide tips and tricks so you can give your very best effort.

Freewheelin'

April 8, June 4, July 16, Sept. 23: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Major Taylor Festival: June 18, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Join our partners at Freewheelin’ to learn about the different parts of a bicycle and how they operate. Then show off your creative side as you figure out how to repurpose these parts to make some original art.

Major Taylor School Programs

Whether it’s at the museum, in your classroom or virtual, we offer hands-on, exploratory, and interactive programs on a variety of topics that provide your students a fun way to learn about Indiana’s people, places and things through art, history and STEM connections. All programs fulfill select Indiana Academic Standards.

To schedule any of the following programs, contact Vice President of Education and Engagement Bethany Thomas at 317.518.6506 or bthomas2@indianamuseum.org.

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MAJOR TAYLOR BIKE PHYSICS PROGRAM

Grades 3 – 5
Available: museum, outreach, virtual

Does science or physics help us ride bikes? What about making bikes travel faster? Join us as we explore the forces in action and how friction and momentum play a part in riding a bike.

Indiana Academic Standards: SCIENCE 3.PS.2, 3-5.E.1, 3-5.E.3; SOCIAL STUDIES: K.1.2, 2.1.3

This program is supported by Indiana Humanities

MAJOR TAYLOR STORY

Grades 6 – 8
Available: museum, outreach, virtual

Major Taylor was a world-class athlete and cycling’s first African American champion. Using primary sources and Taylor’s own writings, compare his experience and what was reported as we dive it into what it means to accurately portray history and the people who shape Indiana’s history.

Indiana Academic Standards: SOCIAL STUDIES: 6.1.23, 7.1.16, 7.1.17, 8.1.28

This program is supported by Indiana Humanities