VALENTINE, Neb. - As part of National Native American Heritage Month, fifth graders at Valentine Middle School have transformed their class hallway into a museum celebrating Native American history and culture.

For 15 years, social studies teacher Karen Keller has led the project, which challenges students to research a specific tribe and create displays that educate both classmates and the community.

“I want my students to be analytical, resourceful, independent problem solvers,” Keller said.

Each student draws a tribe from a hat and begins researching — but not online, at least not at first.

“They immediately want to know if they can search their tribe online, and I won’t let them,” Keller said. “They have to learn to use books and verify facts. Some of them found conflicting information in different sources, so they had to dig deeper to figure out what was accurate. Then I give them websites I’ve already vetted.”

Fifth grader Lauralee Krueger said she learned that the Comanche tribe often lived near rivers for access to water and sometimes ate flower roots.

“There’s only 300 people left in the United States who know the Comanche language,” Lauralee said, adding that she even learned a few words herself.

Once their research is complete, students build creative displays using materials they find at home. Keller said that part of the project teaches students to think like the Native American tribes they’re studying — to be inventive with what they have.

“Just like the tribes were resourceful, I want the students to be resourceful,” Keller said. “Every year, I think I’ve seen it all, and then they come up with something completely new and amazing.”

Students are also encouraged to involve their families in the projects.

“My favorite part was probably when we hot glued sticks together and made a little fire,” said student Trey Benson.

Once completed, the projects are displayed for the community, turning the school into a hands-on history museum that both students and residents can enjoy.

“I think I’ll probably remember this for a long time,” Krueger said.