In my experience, innovative educational experiences are vital to engaging students today. In 2018, The Dan and Lillian King Foundation, a non-profit serving 8th graders in Monterey County, embarked on an extraordinary project to enrich the educational journey of students learning about the US Constitution. This initiative was captured in the documentary film 9000 8th Graders by Terri DeBono and Steve Rosen of Mac+Ava Motion Pictures which chronicles the remarkable field trip where thousands of students traveled to San Francisco for a live performance of the musical Hamilton. I had the privilege of working with the King Foundation to create curriculum and a website that not only showcased this memorable experience but also provided educators with resources to enhance their teaching of the U.S. Constitution.

The project was a monumental undertaking, supported by the generosity of the King Foundation, aimed to bring U.S. history and the Constitution to life for every 8th grade student in Monterey County. Whether students attended public schools, private schools, charter schools, or were homeschooled, they were all offered a ticket and transportation to see Hamilton. This endeavor spanned several months and involved meticulous planning and coordination to ensure that every single 8th grader could partake in this unique learning opportunity.

The King Foundation purchased thousands of seats across multiple performances, effectively filling the theater with young, eager learners, many of whom had never visited San Francisco. The presence of so many excited students did not go unnoticed by the cast and crew of Hamilton, who took time to interact with the students, answer their questions, and encourage their educational pursuits.

Showcasing the Documentary

My role in this transformative project was to design and develop a website that would serve multiple purposes. The primary goal was to create an online space to showcase the documentary film, capturing the excitement and educational impact of the field trip. However, the vision extended far beyond merely displaying the film.

The website needed to be a dynamic platform that invited its audience to see the film as well as submit requests to show the film at public events. This also meant that the website needed to serve as a hub to coordinate those events and advertise their availability to the public, especially after the much anticipated release of the film.

Educational Resources and Lesson Plans

Understanding the importance of extending the impact of this field trip into the classroom, the website also provided a rich library of resources for educators. These resources were designed to help teachers integrate the documentary into their curriculum, particularly in the context of teaching the U.S. Constitution and American history.

To complement the documentary, we developed lesson plans that included hands-on learning activities. These plans encouraged students to engage creatively with the material, such as by writing their own lyrics inspired by the Hamilton soundtrack or performing scenes from American history. The goal was to foster a deeper understanding of the historical events that shaped the Constitution by allowing students to actively participate in the storytelling process.

In addition to traditional lesson plans, the website offered various creative outlets for students to express their understanding of U.S. history. This included opportunities for students to create their own performances, whether through music, theater, or digital media. By providing these outlets, we aimed to make the study of history more interactive and relatable for students.

Working with the King Foundation on the “9000 8th Graders” documentary and its accompanying website continues to be a deeply rewarding experience. It demonstrates the power of combining innovative educational experiences with modern technology to enhance learning. Through this project, thousands of students had the opportunity to experience history in a vivid, engaging way, and educators are equipped with valuable resources to continue inspiring their students.

The legacy of this project continues as the website remains a testament to what can be achieved when educational initiatives are supported by visionary organizations like the Dan and Lillian King Foundation. By bringing history to life, we not only enrich the educational experiences of students but also inspire future generations to value and understand the significance of the U.S. Constitution.