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The History Marker Project Based-Learning experience is an opportunity for all students residing in Fairfax County to have resources to research untold stories of impactful local Black and African American people and groups to understand why these stories should be shared with the public as historical markers. Through meaningful learning experiences, all Fairfax County students have opportunities to authentically contribute to the rich and diverse history of the Fairfax community.

Through the One Fairfax policy, we are committed to creating a more inclusive and equitable county. While our existing historical markers and monuments around the county reflect some of our stories, there is an opportunity to expand these stories through the joint Fairfax County/FCPS Historical Markers Project.

– Fairfax County Supervisor Dalia A. Palchik (Providence District) and Fairfax County School Board Member Karl Frisch (Providence District)

Grade Level Family Resources

To learn more about the Historical Marker Project and how you can support your students at home, visit the grade level family resource pages:

Note:

• Resources will be available starting at Grade 4, but younger students may still participate in the project with guidance from their parent/guardian.
• Rubrics used in these resources have been adapted by FCPS from the Virginia Department of Education

Extensions

As part of the collaboration between FCPS and Fairfax County, students are invited to offer submissions to the Fairfax County Historical Marker Project. The project committee will view submissions and select some to become permanent markers within Fairfax County!

What is the Historical Marker Project?

Why is this important?

How do I get started?

What Is Project-Based Learning (PBL)?

The Buck Institute for Education describes Project-Based Learning as:

A teaching method in which students gain knowledge and skills by working for an extended period of time to investigate and respond to an engaging and complex question, problem, or challenge.

Portrait of a Graduate

A goal of FCPS is to provide opportunities for students to demonstrate learning in more authentic ways. Teachers in FCPS are enhancing learning opportunities to include the attributes of Communicator, Collaborator, Ethical and Global Citizen, Creative and Critical Thinker, and Goal-Directed and Resilient Individual.

FCPS in the News

• Kings Glen Elementary School Students and Staff Making History, One Marker at a Time
• Reston students’ suggestion among winners of Virginia Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Historical Marker Contest
• Historical Roadside Marker Named By Laurel Ridge Elementary School Students Unveiled on Juneteenth 
• Jessica Park is a 7th grade U.S. History teacher at Liberty Middle School
• Prasidha Padmanabhan got more women of color added to history lessons
• Hunters Woods Elementary School for the Arts and Sciences - Governor Northam announced four students and a teacher from Hunters Woods Elementary School successfully nominated W.W. Yen, who will now be honored with a roadside marker in Charlottesville.  Yen graduated from the University of Virginia in 1900, where he was the first international student to earn a bachelor’s degree and the first Chinese student to earn a degree. One of China’s key early 20th century leaders, Yen served as premier five times and held a series of important cabinet and diplomatic posts. The University of Virginia now has a dorm and scholarship fund named after him.