Intro
For our Winter Exhibition project, our class researched World War II, and how it’s remembered through stories, media, and propaganda.
Each group chose a theme to guide their work, and my group focused on Power and Control. We learned how those in power influence others through fear, propaganda, and force. We learned early on that this was to be connected to the Avatar movies, and surprisingly it connects very well! Our final task was to create an exhibition where we presented our learning through posters, props, and interactive artifacts for an audience. Now that I’ve given an acceptable introduction, let’s get into it!
This photo represents the relation of avatar and WWII. There is struggle and pain within both, showing that even in fictional movies war can be depicted similarly.
What did I want to learn?
When I first started this project, I knew I wanted to understand WWII further, but less certain dates and specific information like that. I wanted to understand the things that occurred “behind the scenes” things people don’t talk about as much. It was also very fun to be able to connect the project to something I love, like Avatar, and see how themes like power and control show up both in history and in fiction.
My previous WWII understanding
Before this project, I had a basic understanding of WWII, from books, movies, and my own research. I knew about Hitler’s invasion of Poland, the Holocaust, and major battles like Pearl Harbour and D-Day. However, I wanted to dig deeper: how did propaganda and fear really influence people’s lives? How did leaders use power to control entire nations? And could those same patterns appear in stories we watch, and reality we live in today?
Vision, Mission, and Values
My VMV, especially engagement and self-regulation, played a huge role in how I approached this project. I stayed engaged in class by actively listening, taking notes, and participating in discussions. I also worked on managing distractions so I could really focus on research and artifact creation. Yes, there were times of goofing off, but the important thing was that my group and I were able to have fun while also being proactive and ultimately succeeding in the project.
Props
Posters
For the props and decorations, my group and I came up with a few different things. We made two information posters that portrayed our learning of WWII and its relation to Avatar. This was the main thing we talked about during the presentation, as it had the most important information.
The first poster explored power and control in WWII. We talked about how the Axis Powers gained and maintained control through fear, violence, and propaganda. I gave examples like Nazi-controlled newspapers, films such as Triumph of the Will, and radio broadcasts used to shape public opinion.
The second poster connected these ideas to Avatar, showing how the RDA controlled the Na’vi through advanced weapons, fear, and cultural manipulation. Looking at both together made me realize that whether in real life or in fiction, power built on fear and force can only last so long before people resist it.
Command helmet
Secondly, we took a mannequin head and used it as a display for our helmet. This helmet represents the authority German officers had during WWII. Anyone wearing it had the power to give orders that soldiers and civilians were expected to follow. It symbolized discipline, hierarchy, and the strict military control that shaped everyday life. Even without weapons, the helmet showed who was in charge and who had to obey. (I wasn’t able to get a photo but just imagine how amazing it was)
Radio
Lastly, (my favourite part) is the interactive radio! This radio was an extremely influential part of propaganda, which is why we chose to make one. As you can see in the photo below, we added two QR codes to access propaganda speeches from both Hitler and the officer in command in the Avatar movies. Letting the audience listen to these, I believe, gave them a better perspective on how both leaders dehumanized the enemy and acted as if they were above them.
The hardest part of the project
The hardest part of the project was connecting historical research to a fictional story in a way that was clear, meaningful and most importantly, engaging. I wanted our posters to be accurate, but also engaging for an audience that might not know much about WWII or Avatar. We worked very hard on the project and spent a lot of time writing and making props, but this left us with little time for practice of our presentation. Because of this, the first time we presented our learning at the winter exhibition didn’t go as planned. We talked too much, it was boring, and the audience wasn’t engaged!!! After that we all got together and we worked adjusted Our script on the spot, which made the rest of the night go smoothly! It’s all about communicating ideas in ways that others can understand and connect with.
Response to the driving question:
The driving question for this project is “how do stories, media, and propaganda shape how we remember World War II?”
Stories, media, and propaganda shape how we remember World War II by influencing what perspectives are highlighted and which aren’t. During the war, propaganda was used to control public opinion, justify violence, and dehumanize enemies. After the war, movies, books, and documentaries continued to shape memory by focusing on certain narratives, such as heroism or victory, while often leaving out the experiences of different perspectives. By studying both historical propaganda and fictional stories like Avatar, I learned that media has a much bigger impact than people realize. This is why it’s important to think critically about the stories we consume, because they play a major role in how history is remembered and understood.
Conclusion
Over the course of this project I learned how power, control, and propaganda shape people’s actions and beliefs. By connecting real history to Avatar, I learned that the same methods of control appear in both reality and fiction, reminding us that these patterns continue over time. The Winter Exhibition also challenged me to communicate my learning clearly to an audience. Even when our first presentation didn’t go as planned, adapting and improving helped us grow. Overall, this project strengthened my ability to think critically about media, power, and how history is remembered.