WWII Educator Seminar

July 6-10, 2027

The WWII Educator Seminar is a three-day, conference-like professional development experience for educators across the country. Through the themes of each day, educators will develop a deeper understanding of the history of World War II and how to best utilize The National WWII Museum’s curriculum and resources in their own classrooms.

Educators who complete the seminar will be required to design and facilitate one professional development session on their own within the 2027-28 school year. More information will be given to those who are accepted. 

Target Audience: Grades 5-12 Social Studies or English/Language Arts teachers (current or pre-service), building-level master/lead teachers, librarians, curriculum specialists or school administrators from across the United States

Objectives:

By the end of the week, educators will have a better understanding of World War II and the best strategies to use Museum resources to teach about the war. Additionally, educators will gain pedagogical tools to not only strengthen their teaching of World War II but also bring history alive for their students in new ways.

Additional Details:

There will be time to explore the Museum’s galleries as a way to support WWII learning. Teachers are also welcome to spend free time exploring the culturally rich city of New Orleans.

Educators will receive:

• Double-occupancy rooming at The Higgins Hotel & Conference Center (across the street from the Museum)  *If educators would like a single-occupancy room, they may pay for half of the room rate + taxes.
• Most meals throughout the program
• Curricula, books, and materials
• Certificate of completion showing completed hours of professional development

Not included: 

• Transportation to and from New Orleans*

*A limited number of stipends are available to help offset transportation costs for travel to and from the Museum for those who are over 100 miles from New Orleans. You can apply for this option within the application for the program.

2027 Billy Michal Leadership Award Nomination 

The Billy Michal Student Leadership Award is presented annually to one student from each state and the District of Columbia who embodies the American spirit in his or her community. The values of leadership, teamwork, tolerance, creativity, and perseverance can and should be learned and lived by all Americans, regardless of age. 

The 51 selected student leadership award winners will travel to New Orleans June 3-6, 2027, along with a parent or chaperone, all expenses paid, to attend the 2027 American Spirit Awards, where they will represent their state at the event. Students will receive exclusive behind-the-scenes access to the Museum, participate in leadership activities with their cohort and attend an awards ceremony to honor their accomplishments. 

Nomination criteria:

· Nominees must be in grades 8–12.

· Only individual students can be nominated, not groups.

· Students cannot be nominated by a family member.

· Students must be in public, private, parochial, or home school in the United States.

· Nominations must be submitted through the Billy Michal Student Leadership Award webpage by January 22, 2027.

Awardees will be selected based on their demonstrated commitment to making a positive contribution to their school, community, country, and/or the world. Only fully completed nominations will be eligible for consideration.

Drawn to Combat: Bill Mauldin & the Art of War 

This year's student writing contest is inspired by the special exhibit Drawn to Combat: Bill Mauldin & the Art of War

Writing Prompt: 

Mauldin was able to show the reality of war, sacrifice, and human experience through his work. Poetry also does the same, allowing people to express themselves in a way they may not otherwise be able to. 

Write a sonnet, villanelle, or free-verse poem that reflects the perspective of an everyday soldier’s life during wartime and the challenges they faced while in combat. Use imagery, emotion, and descriptive language to convey the physical and emotional aspects of living life on the front lines of a war zone.

Please see the webpage with more information on the topic and contest policies. 

https://www.nationalww2museum.org/students-teachers/school-programs/student-writing-contest 

This application is for students who are applying to the High School Normandy Academy programs. There will be two trips offered in 2027: 

• High School 1 - June 23 - July 4
• High School 2 - June 29th - July 10

Normandy Academy is an 12-day travel program that exposes students to the heroic efforts of the Allied forces during the historic D-Day landings in June, 1944 and the overall Battle of Normandy during World War II. Starting in New Orleans at The National WWII Museum, students tour the Museum's immersive exhibits and get a behind-the-scenes view of the weapons, gear, and materials used in the Normandy campaign.  Following the New Orleans experience, students will continue to Normandy for the most immersive and in-depth program on the same ground where the battle for Normandy took place in the summer of 1944. Experiences include walking on all five landing beaches, visiting museums and battlefields across the Normandy region, and exploring the charming medieval town of Bayeux. 

All meals, airfare, ground transportation in New Orleans and France, museum admissions, and lodging are included in the tuition for the program which totals $5895.00.

REQUIREMENTS: 

It is imperative that students and parents adhere to the following:

1.  We are seeking students who have a genuine interest in history, particularly World War II, and who are motivated by more than just the opportunity to travel to France or have fun. While enjoyment is naturally part of this experience, the primary purpose of the trip is educational: to explore the history of D-Day, the Battle of Normandy, and the sacrifices made by American and Allied forces. Students who are not truly interested in history may find the trip less meaningful and engaging, which could lead to challenges that detract from the experience for others. To ensure a respectful and enriching environment for all participants, we ask that applicants reflect on their motivations and commit to approaching this journey with curiosity, respect, and a willingness to learn.
2. We expect students to demonstrate the maturity required to travel with adults who are not their parents or regular teachers. This includes a willingness and ability to follow all rules and guidelines that will be reviewed with both students and their parents prior to departure. Additionally, students must be prepared to follow instructions promptly and respectfully the first time they are given.

Additionally:

If in high school, students must be at least 16 years old and be a rising junior through graduating senior.

You will be notified by the end of February if you have been accepted.

Students and parents will be required to complete paperwork pertaining to rules, guidelines, health information, etc. that will be sent via email after this application has been submitted.

Parents will be sent an invoice from the Museum's Finance Department. Payments can be made in full or in 2 installments in  March and May by check or credit card. If payments are not made in full by May 31st, the student will not be allowed to attend.

Applications close on January 22, 2027.

This application is for students that are applying to the 2027 Normandy Academy College trip.

June 17 - June 28, 2027

Normandy Academy is an 12-day college travel program that exposes students to the heroic efforts of the Allied forces during the historic D-Day landings in June, 1944 and the overall Battle of Normandy during World War II. Starting in New Orleans at The National WWII Museum, students tour the Museum's immersive exhibits and get a behind-the-scenes view of the weapons, gear, and materials used in the Normandy campaign.  Following the New Orleans experience, students will continue to Normandy for the most immersive and in-depth program on the same ground where the battle for Normandy took place in the summer of 1944. Experiences include walking on all five landing beaches, visiting museums and battlefields across the Normandy region, and exploring the charming medieval town of Bayeux. 

All meals, airfare, ground transportation in New Orleans and France, museum admissions, and lodging are included in the tuition for the program which totals $5895.00.

Scholarships are available for the College program. Please complete this application and check the box that you would like to be considered for a scholarship. 

REQUIREMENTS: 

It is imperative that students adhere to the following:

1. We require students to be interested in history and WWII and are not only looking for a free trip to France or just to have fun. The fun is inherently built into this trip so there is no need to worry that students won't have fun; however, the goal is for students to learn about D-Day and the Battle of Normandy and the sacrifices made by Americans and other Allied forces. Students who are not interested in history and who are only looking for fun will not enjoy the trip as much as we want student to and that could cause problems that will not be accepted.
2. We require students to be mature enough to travel with adults who are not their parents or own teachers. This means that they should be willing and able to follow all rules and regulations that will be discussed with them and their parents prior to the trip as well as follow all directions the first time they are given.

Additionally:

College, students must have completed their first year of college and should be a major related to history or education (though other majors may be considered).  

You will be notified by the end of February if you have been accepted.

Students will be required to complete paperwork pertaining to rules, guidelines, health information, etc. that will be sent via email after this application has been submitted.

Students who are self paying will be sent an invoice from the Museum's Finance Department. Payments can be made in full or in 2 installments in  March and May by check or credit card. If payments are not made in full by May 31st, the student will not be allowed to attend.

Applications close January 22, 2027.

The 2027 Student Leadership Academy is open to current high school freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors.  All students must be 16 at the time of the academy's start to participate. 

July 12-16, 2027

The Student Leadership Academy is the Museum’s premier leadership training program for high school students. Each session draws on the Museum’s rich resources, including its oral history collection, public exhibits, in-person interviews with veterans of World War II and Operation Iraqi Freedom, as well as guest scholars and Museum leaders.

All students accepted into the program will receive the following:  hotel accommodations at the Higgins Hotel, all meals, and admission to additional museums and historic sites.  

*This program will not cover transportation to and from New Orleans. There are a limited number of stipends available to help offset the cost of transportation if a student lives more than 100 miles from New Orleans. The option to apply for the stipend is on the following application.

Applications close on January 22, 2027