Our Driving Question: How can we, as historians, use ancient walls to shape our worldview and foster our growth as global citizens?
The Talking Walls Project is an interdisciplinary, semester-long middle school exploration into the stories, symbols, and significance of walls throughout human history. From prehistoric cave art in Lascaux to the defensive fortifications of Dubrovnik, the project examines how walls communicate power, protect communities, preserve culture, and provoke dialogue. Students research iconic global walls—including the Western Wall, Great Wall of China, Hadrian’s Wall, Cusco’s stonework, Aboriginal rock art sites, and Mexican mural movements—uncovering the people, artistry, beliefs, and engineering behind them. Through hands-on creation using tools like 3D printers, Cricut, Glowforge, and sewing machines, students bring these walls to life in a public exhibition that blends storytelling, historical inquiry, and maker-centered learning.