Students from approximately 22 schools in the Gulfport and Harrison County school districts will showcase research on local history, culture and cuisine Nov. 7 during the Living Life Local event at the Gulfport Museum of History.
The event, titled “Living Life Local: Embracing Community and Celebrating Local History,” will feature projects by gifted students exploring historical figures, landmarks, schools and cultural traditions across the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
Stephanie Stanley, a gifted teacher at Creekbend Elementary and Middle School, said approximately 200 of her students in second through sixth grades have been preparing for the event since August.
Older students researched the history of local restaurants and created posters highlighting their findings. Younger students explored traditional cooking methods, coastal cuisine and cultural influences before designing menus and model food trucks.
“My kids have been very excited,” Stanley said. “They’ve been able to try different coastal things that they’ve never tried before.”
Stanley said the projects have helped students develop a stronger connection to the coast.
“They feel more of a connection to their community and the place that they’re living, which is what I’m excited to see,” she said.
David Hall, a board member of the Gulfport Historical Society and museum volunteer, said the event will resemble a history fair, allowing students to share their research with the public.
Visitors can also participate in a downtown walking tour using QR codes and a museum scavenger hunt. Teachers will select several projects for presentations at the historical society’s December meeting.
Hall said he hopes the experience encourages students to explore careers in museums, libraries, archeology and historical research.
“We love people to come in,” Hall said. “We’ve got a lot to offer, not only for this project with the schools, but throughout the rest of the year, we have interesting things going on here at the museum.”
