R9 Social Studies- Student Opps
Student Opportunities 24-25
New Traveling Exhibit Launches in 2024
Seven rural Texas communities have been selected by the Texas Historical Commission to host a travelling Smithsonian exhibit that takes a close look at the evolution of rural America in the last century. Experience the national story going on now!
Tour Dates:
San Augustine - August 24-October 6, 2024
Clifton - October 12-December 1, 2024
Brenham - December 7, 2024-January 19, 2025
Rockport - January 25–March 9, 2025
Buffalo Gap - March 15–April 27, 2025
San Elizario - May 3–June 15, 2025
Bandera - June 21–August 2, 2025
The Texas General Land Office is pleased to announce the opening of its annual Save Texas History Essay Contest. Research essays will be accepted on any historical person, event, place, group, or cultural tradition, however big or small, that helped shape Texas.
The contest is open to all age-appropriate 4th & 7th grade students in public, private, and home schools in Texas. One grand-prize winner from each grade will receive a gift card worth $500, courtesy of Chris Cantu of Kingsview Partners, and a free two-night stay in Austin at Hampton Inn & Suites University/Capitol.
Ten finalists, five from each grade, will receive $100 gift cards, courtesy of the Moses Austin Chapter of the Sons of the Republic of Texas. Additionally, all winners and finalists will receive a variety of prizes from the Texas General Land Office and Texas State Historical Association. Teachers of winning students will receive gift cards and complimentary prizes, as well.
Open to all 4th and 7th grade students in Texas
Deadline: April 1, 2025
Grand prize: $500 per grade level
Finalist prizes: 10 winners will receive $100
This multi-year contest invites students to submit artwork and essays, answering the question, “What does America mean to you?” for the chance to earn unique experiences at iconic American historical and cultural sites.
Submission Guidelines
- Elementary School (3rd to 5th Grade): Students may submit artwork, including physical or digital artwork (through a high-res photo) or a short written response (up to 100 words).
- Middle School (6th to 8th Grade): Students may submit artwork, including physical or digital artwork (through a high-res photo), or a written response (up to 250 words).
- High School (9th to 12th Grade): Students may submit artwork, including physical or digital artwork (through a high-res photo), or a written response (up to 500 words).
Open to all U.S. Students 3rd - 12th Grade
Deadline: April 16, 2025 @ 5pm ET
Each year the Bryan Museum's “I Am Texas” theme encourages contestants to use historical artifacts found in the Museum as inspiration for their writing. The Bryan Museum houses over 70,000 pieces that tell the story of Texas and the American West and contains many online resources for student research.
This year, middle and high school students can write either a fiction or nonfiction piece about the artifacts from the Museum’s collection. Elementary students are asked to write a letter to a Texan from the past or present. Student artists should get creative and use their unique perspective to interpret the “I Am Texas” theme.
Top winners in each category will receive cash prizes!
Open to 2nd -12th grade students.
Deadline: April 30, 2025
“It’s me again, Hank the Cowdog!” — this opening statement has been the start of over 74 children’s books in an ongoing series by John R. Erickson which has sold more than 10 million copies worldwide. Now, that very same line will open a brand-new podcast series starring Matthew McConaughey as none other than…”Hank the Cowdog.”
There are 5 episodes in the mystery genre with educational activities aligned to 3rd-5th grade ELAR and Science TEKS, based on Hank the Cowdog Book 11 Lost in the Dark Unchanted Forest.
Vernon, TX 76384
Thanks in part to a generous grant the Red River Valley Museum is now able to offer FREE tours to school groups through this school year! The museum aims to give free tours to at least 2,000 students in the coming year.
Schedule a tour of the entire museum for your class or school! Staff will guide students through each exhibit allowing them to experience all the museum has to offer in the time you have set. Ample outdoor space is available for picnic lunches and field activities.
- The Berry Gallery- Prehistoric fossils, Native American Artifacts, Texas History, Cattle Drives, & more!
- The Bond Gallery- Animal Science, Biology, Conservation, Adaptation, Habitats, & more!
- The Waggoner Gallery- Texas & Local History, Cowboy Heritage, Arts & Culture, & more!
Schools must provide at least 1 adult for every 15 children.
Please schedule your field trip a month in advance so the Museum has time to schedule guides for your visit!
To schedule a FREE tour for a group of students call the museum at 940-553-1848.
Chelsea Howells
Region 9 ESC
Email: chelsea.howells@esc9.net
Location: 301 Texas 11 Loop, Wichita Falls, TX, USA
Phone: 940-397-8106
Twitter: @ChelseaHowells9
