History Time

A Newsletter for Kansas Educators

April 2023

Make and Take: Barnstorming in Kansas

Kansas has strong ties to the aviation industry. Aircraft companies such as Cessna and Beechcraft were both founded in Kansas. Wichita is even known as the “Air Capital of the World”. Explore the fascinating history of aviation in Kansas with this fun Barnstormer game. Learn about the early careers of famous aviators such as Charles Lindbergh who performed as a stunt pilot in Kansas. Teach a STEM lesson focusing on the physics of stunt flying. How exactly were pilots able to perform those death-defying stunts? Use this activity to compare early aviation to today’s industry.

Kansas Symbols Video and Lesson

This new video teaches students a sense of place and identity as they explore every official state symbol of Kansas, like the sunflower, American Bison, and many more.

Pair the video with a Kansas Symbols Bingo lesson focusing on eight Kansas symbols.The lesson uses short expository texts to encourage class discussions, and a Kansas symbols poem is used in an echo reading exercise.

Standards Based Activity:

How WWII Changed Kansas

HGSS Standard #4: Societies experience continuity and change over time

• 4.2: The student will analyze the context and draw conclusions about continuity and change.

Prepare for Memorial Day next month by utilizing this middle school Read Kansas! lesson.

Lesson M-35 focuses on how the United States' involvement in World War II created change in Kansas by highlighting production, mobility, and women in the workforce. Students look at primary sources to examine the causes and effects of these changes. Additionally, students will independently identify and describe how one of these changes affects their lives today.

Protecting Artifacts During

Our Renovation

Before new exhibits can be installed in the museum, artifacts and cases from previous exhibits are removed. Care must be taken to ensure the safety and preservation of the artifacts entrusted to the museum. When an artifact cannot be removed from the gallery, additional steps must be taken to protect it during renovation. The train is one example.

Staff knew that the Cyrus K. Holliday train would not move from its present location during the museum’s renovation. Originally, the 96,000 pound train rolled into the partially constructed museum on rails laid specifically for that purpose. There was no way it could be removed for renovations. That meant taking extra steps to protect it during our remodeling process. A wall of plastic is being built between the train and the rest of the gallery to isolate it. This wall also protects the Stan Herd mural on the wall behind the train.

Future Ready Career Day Edventure

Edventures are a series of virtual field trip experiences focused on a seasonal theme or unit of study. Think of Edventures as virtual one-day conferences designed for PK-12 students. Join us on May 4 for Wichita Public School's Future Ready Career Day, where our employees will provide information about their careers, demonstrate their passion, and share advice to your students. Be sure to check next month's History Time for more details or go to usd259.org/virtuallearning.

Don't Forget!

KSHS eNews provides information on events, programs, updates on the museum renovation, and highlights a variety of state historic sites.

Educational videos on Kansas topics created by us for use in your classroom.

Read Kansas! are available free of charge for primary, intermediate, middle, and high school students while supplies last.

The Kansas Museum of History is closed for renovations. Although the museum is not available for field trips, our staff is here for you.

A variety of virtual tours, videos, and Nearpod lessons are available to use in your classroom. 

State Capitol Visitors Center offers guided tours. Self-guided brochures are available for those who want to explore on their own.

Many state historic sites will reopen in April with free admission. Look for a site in your area.

Traveling resource trunks are available to borrow. Reserve one now for the school year.

Life Cycle of a Honeybee