K-12 Educator Programs

The Center for Middle Eastern Studies offers teaching resources and competitions to K-12 educators looking for unique professional development experiences and opportunities to bring the Middle East to their classrooms.

Teachers Collaborating Across Borders (TCAB)

The TCAB program is a unique opportunity for 18 teachers from the United States and 18 teachers from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region to engage in international dialogue and virtual exchange.

The program is a joint effort of the North Carolina Consortium for Middle Eastern Studies and the University of Arizona Center for Middle Eastern Studies. Both are Title VI, US Department of Education-endorsed National Resource Centers on the Middle East.

TCAB Program

Lesson Plan Competitions

Teachers of all grade levels (K-12) and content areas are invited to participate in our Lesson Plan Competitions to win cash, prizes, and prestige by entering our lesson plan competition!

  • Teachers are invited to submit one or more Middle East-related lesson plans they have created.
  • Winning lesson plans will be shared widely with educators through our outreach program.

Lesson Plan Competitions

Monthly Book Drawing Competitions

Teachers of all grade levels (K-12) and content areas could win $50 worth of books just by following the directions below! You can enter one time each month.

Book Drawing Competition

National History Day Competition

Since 2004, CMES has sponsored an award for "Best Project in Middle Eastern History" at the Arizona state finals of the National History competition each year.  The winning student or group receives a $100 cash award and a certificate recognizing their achievement.  Winners can compete in either the middle school or high school division and in any category (website, documentary, exhibit, performance, research paper).

National History Day Competition

Educator Workshops

Each year, the Center organizes several short teacher development workshops for K-12 educators. Arizona teachers participate in sessions led by UA CMES affiliated faculty and other professionals. Topics are interdisciplinary and in the past have focused on a variety of subjects including Islamic mathematics and science, Islamic Spain and the Americas, the legacy of Saddam Hussein, contemporary Iranian culture, the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, and the importance of water and oil to the region.

Educator Workshop