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Barefoot Boy: Part 1
Grades 3-5 • What was life like for Dwight Eisenhower as a boy growing up in Abilene, Kansas? How was his life the same or different from yours? This digital, two-part experience will present artifacts like those used by Ike and his family at the turn of the 20th century. Part one introduces students to Dwight Eisenhower and explains what artifacts are and how to analyze them. Students will analyze three artifacts and learn about them through observation, discussion prompts, and videos.
Barefoot Boy: Part 2
Grades 3-5 • Continue analyzing artifacts like those used by Ike and his family at the turn of the 20th century. Part two also includes discussion prompts, videos, and a choice board follow up activity.
The D-Day Experience
Grades 4-12 • Operation Overlord, or D-Day, was considered a major turning point in WW II for the Allied forces. This program explores the planning and execution of D-Day under the leadership of Supreme Allied Commander General Dwight D. Eisenhower. What was it like to be a part of one of the most crucial battles in history? In this program, students will learn about how the invasion was planned and hear first hand accounts from veterans who were there.
Voices of Valor
Grades 5-8 • Veterans Day is an important day for recognizing and honoring the service of all U.S. military veterans. It's a time to express gratitude for their sacrifices and dedication to protecting the nation's freedom and security. This program explains the origins and purpose of Veterans Day, distinguishing it from Memorial Day and highlights its role in honoring all who have served in the military.hrough moving interviews with World War II veterans, viewers will hear firsthand accounts of life during wartime—stories of bravery, resilience, and dedication to country. It inspires viewers to recognize the ongoing contributions of veterans from all generations and encourages reflection, gratitude, and civic awareness.
Make Do & Do Without
What could you give up in your daily life to help American soldiers half-way around the world? Your bike? Desserts? During World War II, families on the American home front saved, reused, recycled, and did without so that our troops had the food and supplies they needed to win the war. Student will explore answers to the essential question: How were Americans encouraged to save, recycle and reuse to help the war effort?
Save-Serve-Conserve
During World War II, schools all across America provided programs to get students involved in the war effort. Through saving, collecting, and volunteering, America’s youth accomplished amazing results! Students will explore answers to the essential question: How were American schools affected by World War II?
World War II Toys
Many American toy manufacturers helped support the war effort by suspending some toys, changing the materials, or using their factories to make war materials instead of toys. Kids crowded around the radio to listen to their favorite shows, and read comic books in which their favorite superheroes fought the evil Nazis. Students will explore answers to the essential question: How were toys & entertainment affected during WWII?
Supporting the War with Quarters and Dimes
During World War II, American kids supported the war effort financially in significant ways. Their efforts helped buy needed military equipment for America soldiers to win the war and come home safely. In this program, student will explore answers to the essential question: What kind of financial impact did kids make during the war?
Victory Gardens Then & Now
Grades 3-5 • During World War II, 20 million Victory Gardens were planted in the United States to help feed our troops and relieve food shortages here at home. Urban, suburban, and rural communities all came together in this shared effort. Little did they know, but Victory Gardens did much more than provide food. They provided many benefits to our environment, as well, that we can continue doing today! In this Earth Day presentation students will understand the history and purpose of Victory Gardens, analyze primary source artifacts from that era, connect Victory Gardens to modern environmental practices, and plan their own victory garden to help grow a greener future!
Documenting History
Grades 7-12 • As Supreme Allied Commander, General Dwight Eisenhower had the unimaginable experience of touring a Nazi concentration camp witnessing the horror that occurred there. The shock and disgust he felt compelled him to ensure that the Holocaust be documented for all to know and remember. Since then, some have questioned the legitimacy of the Holocalust. In this program students will analyze various types of primary sourcdes from General Eisenhower and others that give first-hand accounts of what they witnessed.
The Children of Terezin
Grades 7-12 • As Nazi forces terrorized and murdered minority groups across Europe, many other brave individuals found ways to bring salvation or solace to those being persecuted. Artwork helps tell the unique story of the Terezin concentration camp in this program.
Rose Blanche: The Holocaust in Literature
Grades 7-12 • This multi-award winning narrative revolves around Rose, a young German girl who discovers a terrible secret - Holocaust prisoners in a concentration camp near her village. By analyzing the illustrations in this book, students will discover and discuss inferences, allegories and symbolism.
How Did the Holocaust Happen?
Grades 7-12 • A systematic, yet subtle progression of laws and actions by Hitler and his collaborators resulted in the persecution and murder of millions of Jews and those labeled as “inferior” in the Holocaust. How and why did this happen? This program will examine these questions and how the Allied forces under the leadership of General Eisenhower helped put an end to this inhumanity.
Heidi @ the White House
Ever wonder what it would be like to live at the White House? Heidi will show you around the famous house where President Eisenhower worked and lived. Who is Heidi? Heidi was the First Dog of the U.S. and a beloved member of the Eisenhower family. In this activity, students will explore President Eisenhower’s White House, play interactive games about the White House and the Presidents who lived there, and take a virtual tour of the White House as it looks today!
Christmas at the White House
Mamie Eisenhower loved to decorate the White House for Christmas and transformed it into a spectacular holiday display. Students will discover Christmas traditions that have been celebrated by the various presidential families through history. A special focus will be on how Christmas was celebrated by the Eisenhower family during Ike's Presidency. Participants will also examine Christmas ornaments given to Dwight Eisenhower by Soviet President Nikita Khrushchev.
Eisenhower and the Television Era
Grades 4-9 • After World War II, Americans enjoyed increasing prosperity. This included the rise of a new technology, television. Dwight Eisenhower led the way by embracing television as a means of communicating his ideas to the voters and became known as the “TV President.” Students will look at different methods of persuasion by analyzing and comparing campaign ads from the 1950's to more recent times. A follow up activity will give students the opportunity to develop their own campaign ad.
Operation Cold War: Spy Quest
Grades 9-12 • Students can explore the enduring impact of the Cold War era as they step into the intriguing world of espionage, nuclear tensions, and political complexities. This online program allows participants to view and interact with the Cold War exhibit at the Dwight D. Eisenhower Museum.
NASA and the Interstate Highway System
Grades 4-12 • From the Interstate to outer space, explore the technological advances made by President Eisenhower during his two terms in office.
Paint By Numbers
Grades 5-12 • One of President Eisenhower's favorite hobbies was painting, and as Supreme Allied Commander during WWII, he played a significant role in protecting European art seized by German forces. In this program participants will learn about the Monuments Men who protected art during WWII. They will also learn about the paint by number craze of the 1950's that caught on in the White House, too! As a follow up to this program, students can re-create one of Ike's paintings the paint by numbers way!
Dear Mr. President
Grades 4-8 • Presented for Constitution Day, September 17, 2024. Do you have a great idea to share with the President? As citizens of the United States we have the right to communicate with our elected officials. This program highlights and analyzes letters sent to President Eisenhower from kids who had some important things to say!
How a Bill Becomes a Law
Grades 4-8 • The United States Constitution provides a specific process for creating laws - one of the unique things that makes our country different from the rest of the world. Students will learn about the journey a bill must take to become a law.
The Three Branches of Government
Grades 4-8 • Why did the founders of our Constitution create the three branches of government? What role do they play in maintaining our democracy? Discover the answers to those questions and learn how President Eisenhower upheld the Constitution. This program will also allow students to analyze primary sources from the executive, legislative, and judicial branches created during Eisenhower’s presidency.