their
story
- A DIGITAL DOOR TO THE PAST -
Some historic events should never be forgotten. They define us, remind us of who we are as society and what we stand for. Our modern values grew from them.
Passing on these kind of stories to next generations is essential. It teaches us that small actions can lead to big changes. And that sometimes right and wrong go hand in hand. It helps us in becoming more open minded and be independent thinkers. It gives us more understanding of our society today and perhaps even more important it helps us to create a better future.
inspired
by
the past
stories
brought
to life
There is more to a story than facts and figures. It are the personal stories that make the impact and leave a mark. Those are the stories that should be told and can be learned from. It has been done for ages, by petroglyphs, narrators, schools, books, museums and later through photos, radio and television. Today’s digital developments offer new ways to pass on such stories. The possibilities are endless, like podcasts, digital expositions or magazines, videos, vlogs or games.
New digital means to tell stories present an opportunity to pass them on to the next generation more easily. To a generation, who grew up in a digital world and have a better understanding of it. And what better way to let those stories be passed on by the next generation themselves. They are the future and it is up to them to decide how they would like their past to be remembered and preserved. They are key in bringing the old and new world together.
Based on action learning and co-creation principles we have created a learning environment for students to work jointly in an online international community, in order to share these important historical stories digitally. They are supported by professionals.
the
next
generation
BK716,
their story
The Stirling BK716, a British WW2 bomber, which crashed in Lake Markermeer, the Netherlands in 1943, is one of those stories that should not be forgotten. In 2020 the wreckage was recovered, commissioned by the municipality of Almere. BK716 had seven crew members on board, five of whom were British and two Canadian. In 2022 the crew members were buried, in presence of their family members.
Based on the described learning environment, twelve students from the Netherlands, the UK, Canada and Germany are working jointly to bring BK716’s story alive through a digital magazine. The project is supported by the municipality of Almere. Experts in the field of WW2 and aircraft recoveries provided masterclasses for the students. A four member international sounding board supported their learning process.
The magazine pays a heartfelt tribute to the lost airmen, who have paid the ultimate price for our freedom today. It will be published on 30th March 2023, the 80th anniversary of the crash.
