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October 29, 2024 | Wickliffe Progressive School
On October 29th, the Upper Arlington Education Foundation visited Wickliffe Progressive School to tour the "Museum of Us", a UA+Ed grant-funded project. This initiative celebrates every 4th and 5th-grade student by creating individual museums with, for, and about them. It is a fun, personal, and meaningful project that allows each student a chance to express themselves through a collection of a few of their own objects and stories. It’s a fun and personal project that helps bring the Wickliffe community together in a meaningful way. Located in a downstairs neighborhood of Wickliffe Progressive School, the museum draws inspiration from the UK’s Museum of Me project. The students—88 in total— created both a physical museum and a digital archive, highlighting the richness of their individual stories and contributions to the classroom.
The Story Behind the Grant
Andrew Williams, one of the educators leading the project shared, “The concept of the Museum of Me, created by artists and curators in the UK, emphasized that everyone has a unique story worthy of celebration. When I introduced the website to my students, their enthusiasm was infectious. Ideas flowed, and we decided to replicate the concept by building our own physical museum and creating a digital version as a learning experience.”
To curate the Museum of Us, students wrote explanatory statements reflecting on the significance of the artifacts they chose for their museum and articulating ways visitors could learn about them through these items. This storytelling process fostered collaboration, active listening, and a sense of community.
After crafting their narratives, the students built a website using Google Sites and constructed displays using cardboard boxes and plaster gauze. The entire downstairs 4th and 5th-grade classes were invited to contribute to both the virtual and physical museums. The culmination of their efforts was celebrated at a gala-style opening event for the wider Wickliffe community, giving students an additional opportunity to present themselves to others through their art and collections.
Creating Lasting Connections
The project not only focused on storytelling, writing, and art, but also integrated practical math skills, as students calculated the surface areas of rectangular prisms to determine how much plaster gauze would be needed for their displays. Drawing inspiration from the Columbus Museum of Art, the students planned interactive components, including engaging puzzle pieces, to encourage attendee participation.
The Museum of Us project aims to foster a sense of community, ensuring every student feels valued and connected. This initiative aligns with the Profile of an Engaged Learner’s goals, emphasizing skilled communication, open-mindedness, empathy, and balance among Upper Arlington students.
Following the project, students expressed interest in extending the museum concept to other classes and even collaborating with folks outside the Wickliffe community. While the classes have not settled on their next step, they are excited to see how the experience of a museum celebrating themselves can be felt by others.
The Upper Arlington Education Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides access to meaningful opportunities for students that are beyond the budget of the Upper Arlington School District. Established in 1985, UA+Ed is permanently structured to fund programs and projects today and for generations to come. The Upper Arlington Alumni Association is an important part of the foundation and keeps graduates connected, engaged, and motivated to pay it forward.
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