Using the children’s book, Rosie Revere, Engineer, author Andrea Beaty and illustrator David Roberts celebrate creativity, perseverance, and problem-solving through second-grader, Rosie. When her great-great-aunt Rose (who was a real World War II Rosie the Riveter) comes for a visit and mentions her one unfinished goal — to fly — Rosie sets to work building a contraption to make her aunt's dream come true. In the process, Rosie learns the only real failure for an inventor is giving up.

You may know that ”I Like Ike” was the most successful campaign slogan in history, but did you know that it went beyond the iconic pin? Students will learn about the Disney commercial, the song, clothing, and even a band wagon that helped propel Ike to the presidency.

During both World War I and World War II, many resources like food were scarce because America needed to focus on getting our soldiers the resources they needed to win the war. During those times, people were encouraged to grow “Victory Gardens” to lessen the strain on the commercial food supply, ensure that everyone had access to nourishment, and provide a morale boost by allowing Americans on the home front to aid the war effort. In this program, students will analyze the motivation and impact of the Victory Garden as well as the patriotism and propaganda that surrounded them. We will discuss the similarities to the contemporary Victory Garden movement and how kids in the 1940s and today can make a difference for the betterment of our country. 

Crucial sources of enemy information were obtained by surveillance, code breaking, and subterfuge throughout World War II. Intelligence agencies helped the Allies win the war by slipping behind enemy lines to serve as spies, or working to break Axis message codes and steal critical information. In this program, students explore the Code Talkers, Native American men who served in the U.S. military and used their native languages to create codes that were never broken, even after the end of the war.

In the days before tweets, texts, Zooms, Snaps, or even email, written letters served as a vital link between friends and loved ones. The morale provided by letters from home to American soldiers who were fighting in foreign countries was irreplaceable. During World War II, U.S. post offices were flooded with mail and its bulk was competing with the space needed  in transport vehicles for necessary military supplies. This created a huge problem of morale versus supplies; both critical to U.S. soldiers. In this program, students will learn how American ingenuity solved this problem through the invention of Victory Mail.

As Nazi forces terrorized Europe with its Final Solution, many other brave individuals found ways to bring salvation or solace to those being persecuted. Through the unique story of the Terezin concentration camp, students will learn how resistance, altruism, and art saved lives and proved that one person can make a difference.

Every aspect of American life was focused towards winning during World War II, and everyone tried to do their part to support the Allied troops. Students will explore primary sources like ration books and propaganda posters to learn how Americans on the home front helped our troops win the war.

The best deception is attained by feeding an opponent with falsehoods which he wants to believe. Using code names such as Fortitude, Bodyguard, Quicksilver, and Double-Cross, General Eisenhower commanded a series of covert operations that played a crucial role in the victorious Allied invasion of Europe. Students examine primary sources to gain an understanding of D-Day deception plans.

The Civil Defense Administration educated and reassured all Americans that they could survive an atomic attack from the Soviet Union. This included children who received lessons from Bert the Turtle on how to “duck and cover” to protect themselves. In this program, students view 1950s civil defense artifacts consider its lessons for today’s world.

It is said that the defeat of Nazi Germany was sealed on Omaha Beach. One hundred and sixty-thousand troops landed within 24 hours on a 50-mile front. Students will first be introduced to the overall objective of D-Day and how its story is preserved through primary sources. They will then apply that knowledge through examination of documents and artifacts from Omaha Beach.

Step back in time and learn about “Little Ike,” as Dwight D. Eisenhower was known during his boyhood. This program will use Ike’s Boyhood home and other artifacts to describe Little Ike's rural Kansas life from 1890 - 1910.