Oklahoma Baptist University hosted an interactive social studies museum for local fifth-grade students on Oct. 25, at the Geiger Center on OBU’s campus in Shawnee.

This semester’s theme, “The Westward Movement: A Study of Pioneering Grit and Perseverance,” transported fifth-grade students from Sequoyah Elementary into the era of westward expansion and the spirit of resilience that defined it.

During the event, students learned through activities and lessons created by students of OBU’s Henry F. McCabe Family School of Education. These teacher education majors are students in the social studies methods course. The course, led by Dr. Jeanne Akin, Mary A. White Professor of Education, encourages students to develop interactive, hands-on displays using materials accessible to any educator.

Akin’s class hosts similar museums each year in both the fall and spring semesters, aiming to spark curiosity and foster historical understanding in young learners.

“Through this semester’s museum, our teacher education students aimed to help children connect with the adventurous spirit of America’s pioneers,” Akin said. “We want them to understand the hardships and triumphs faced during the westward expansion, inspiring them to appreciate the values of grit and perseverance, both in history and in their own lives.”

The students’ displays featured various aspects of pioneer life and challenges faced on the frontier, creating an immersive experience that brought students involved in the project. The education students who taught about pioneer community life were Isabella Cosby, Gracey Washa and Abigail Primrose. Students who taught about the broader national scope, including railroads, manifest destiny, land runs and more, were Abigail Taylor, Kathryn Conrad and Mackenzie Robertson. Those students who taught about the Native American story, specifically the Cherokee, were Kaylee Stone, Kendal Johnson and Kali Harriman. The students who taught about pioneering home life were Autumn Henshaw, Aliya Finnestad and Lillian Harrel.

The event offered a valuable opportunity for both OBU students and local fifth-graders to engage in creative, hands-on learning, celebrate the arts and explore an important period in American history.

For more information about the OBU School of Education, go to okbu.edu/education.