With WWII military hat, Kareena Kareena Kohli, BIM US History student. Photo contributed
Students of BASIS Independent McLean’s (BIM) advanced placement (AP) US history class got a hands-on lesson with the National World War II Museum traveling history exhibit called Operation Footlocker, which provides schools across the country a real-time opportunity to explore the history and lessons of World War II by studying the authentic artifacts contained within a World War II footlocker. For more information on BASIS Independent McLean, visit https://mclean.basisindependent.com/.
The AP US history class is led by Megan Floyd, BIM US history teacher, who is using the traveling exhibit to help supplement her World War II curriculum.
“Operation Footlocker gives students a chance to become more immersed in the World War II era. This hands-on learning solidifies all of our in-class discussion,” said Floyd.
Each footlocker contains 15 actual artifacts from World War II, not reproductions. The footlocker that BIM received contained a vial of beach sand, war ration book and tokens, a Coca-Cola advertisement, 1944 high school yearbook, wartime license plate, wooden toy, U.S. Army garrison cap, U.S. Army field manual, “Yank” magazine, U.S. Army first aid packet, identification tags, a 1943 steel penny, U.S. Army German manual, U.S. Army-issued underwear and a cloth map. Footlockers also come with white cotton gloves for handling the artifacts and a teacher’s manual that describes each object and includes directions for conducting artifact “reading” sessions. The footlocker program is recommended for grades 5 through 12 due to the fragile nature of some artifacts.
“We’re grateful to the National World War II Museum for this fantastic learning opportunity that allows our students to touch, feel and see this moment in history with genuine artifacts,” said Tiffany Conroy, head of school for BASIS Independent McLean of McLean.
For more information, visit basisindependent.com or basiscurriculumschools.com.