Omaha Public Schools. Making Invisible Histories Visible
Biography
Making Invisible Histories Visible is a summer program of the Omaha Public Schools for students moving from 8th to 9th grades. From the program's website (https://invisiblehistory.ops.org/): "An initiative of the Omaha Public Schools, Making Invisible Histories Visible gives students and teachers the opportunity to explore Omaha's hidden history. Together, they create digital history projects, which OPS social studies teachers can use in their classrooms during future school years. The learning materials collected on this site help students engage with multiple perspectives and enhance their classroom experiences. The program also aids participating teachers' professional development, contributing to effective social studies instruction throughout the school year.
"Each summer since 2010, twenty-four OPS students and eight OPS social studies teachers have come together with professors, community members and university students to create original content about the history of different cultures within Omaha. Students spend time in their neighborhoods, work with archival materials and collect oral history interviews. The driving force behind the work featured on this website, students process what they uncover, select artifacts, write accompanying text, and create short documentary films about their topic. Teachers set high expectations for participating students, who adhere to a rigorous curriculum during the program.
"Building partnerships with local universities, museums, historical societies and members of the public, Making Invisible Histories Visible strengthens connections between OPS and the community. The online format of the projects allows community members to view them, providing public access to the often overlooked histories of local racial and ethnic groups."