The group introduced the topic by presenting a unique story set in 1987 in Czechoslovakia. The speaker acknowledged the complexity of their task, emphasizing that the story was less tragic compared to more well-known historical events like the Holocaust or World War II. They expressed the challenge of making the 1980s, a time they personally lived through, relatable and significant to today’s teenagers.

The target group for their educational program was secondary school students, particularly those in the eighth or ninth grade. The decision was influenced by the belief that the story’s setting, in the late 1980s, might not be perceived as tragic by the current generation, and thus, it might be more challenging to engage them. The group aimed to create a Project Day for the students.

• Duration and Format: The group decided that a 45-minute session was insufficient and opted for a Project Day spanning several hours. The extended format allowed for more in-depth exploration and engagement.
• Activities they planned
  • Timeline Formation: They planned to start with an activity where students would create a timeline to contextualize the events of the 1980s in communist Czechoslovakia.
  • Educational Videos: The group intended to use educational videos to provide context and discuss lesser-known aspects like the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia and secret agents.
  • Guest Speaker: Considering the protagonist of the story was still alive, they explored the idea of inviting him as a guest speaker to share his personal experience.
  • Dramatization: A dramatization or role-playing activity was proposed where students would act out parts of the story, enhancing engagement and understanding.
  • Surveys and Questionnaires: The group considered incorporating surveys or questionnaires to gather opinions before and after the session, potentially involving older generation teachers or family members who lived during the 1980s.

• Challenges: The group recognized the challenge of making a less tragic story from the 1980s impactful for contemporary teenagers.
• Engagement Strategies: To address potential disinterest, the group planned interactive activities, videos, a guest speaker, and dramatization to actively involve students in understanding the historical context.
• Motto: The overarching aim was to make students understand how a totalitarian regime functioned, and their motto was stated as “Freedom is not a state, it is an act.”