Alcatraz Occupation: Power in Community

Teacher Workshop

Please keep in mind that this program requires all teachers new to the program to attend a teacher workshop prior to class participation. The date for the Alcatraz Occupation: Power in Community Teacher workshop is Saturday, February 21st, 2026. 

 

Currently not accepting applications for the 2026-2027 school year.

 

 

Students asking a NPS Ranger questions during an education program

NPS / Kirke Wrench

Overview

Grades 9-12th

What motivates a community to take civic action?

Students focus on the 1969-1971 American Indian Occupation struggle for sovereignty and self-determination. They learn through narratives of people who were involved in the Occupation, and conduct field investigations by using the physical environment and historic clues to deepen their understanding of the movement.

Alcatraz Occupation: Power in Community uses the Understanding by Design framework, incorporates Common Core Standards and Standards for Literacy in History/Social Studies. The program is framed by the essential question - What motivates a community to take civic action?

 

Program Structure

The program is structured in the following three-touch model:

1. Classroom Preparation – Teachers complete 1 pre-lesson with resources provided by the park addressing an introduction to Alcatraz and what led to the Occupation. A pre-visit lesson by NPS staff is also offered before the field session – please share details about preferred NPS staff visit in the Education Reservation Request Form.

2. Field Session – the island experience in which students conduct a field investigation of the Occupation. Please share details about preferred date in the Education Reservation Request Form.

3. Classroom Assessment – opportunities for students to demonstrate what they have learned through a photo project of their investigations on Alcatraz. Please email or mail back student work to NPS staff.