Students at Washington Middle School have been participating in the Democracy in Dialogue Virtual Exchange, a national initiative in collaboration with the Smithsonian Institution.

Over the past semester, WMS World Geography teacher Jacob Edsel has served as a Smithsonian Education Facilitator for the program. His role has included extensive virtual professional development and a week-long training at the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C., where he worked alongside educators from across the country to prepare for this project. The goal of Democracy in Dialogue is to explore how local history connects to our broader American identity, particularly as we approach the 250th anniversary of the United States.

Washington Middle School students have been conducting documentary-based research focused on the rich local history of Washington, Missouri. With support from the Washington Historical Society and the guidance of local experts, the students have created video projects that explore meaningful themes in our community’s past—such as immigration, local traditions, and civic values—and how those stories contribute to the national narrative.

These student-created documentaries will be featured as part of a national collection at the Smithsonian Museums alongside those from other selected communities across the country.

To celebrate their hard work and share these powerful stories with the public, the Final Showcase Pop-Up Exhibits will take place on:

Saturday, May 17
5–7 p.m.
Location of Event - Washington Historical Society

The evening will be a special opportunity for students to present their work to families, community members, and district leaders. The public is invited you to join them in honoring their accomplishments and the stories that help define our community.