Thank you for participating in the Searching for Humanity field trip. This page is designed to support you every step of the way to help create a meaningful learning experience for your students.
Searching for Humanity: Veterans, Victims, and Survivors of World War II is an interactive museum experience that explores the Holocaust through real stories, photographs, personal objects, survivor testimony and art. Students will learn about the experiences of Holocaust survivors, the soldiers who helped liberate concentration camps, and the people who showed courage and compassion during one of history’s darkest times.
As you move through the exhibit, you will see powerful images and hear firsthand accounts from people whose lives were affected by World War II and the Holocaust. You’ll learn about the challenges they faced, the choices people made, and the importance of standing up for others. The exhibit also includes the story of U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Clarence Williams, who witnessed the conditions at the Dachau concentration camp when it was liberated in 1945.
Throughout the program, students will be encouraged to think about themes such as humanity, responsibility, justice, and the impact of individual actions. The experience connects history to the present by asking an important question: “What is my responsibility today?”
This field trip is designed for students in grades 6–12 and runs from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., with an option to hear from a second- or third-generation Holocaust survivor, who will share how the experiences of their family continue to shape their lives today. It provides an opportunity to deepen your understanding of the Holocaust while reflecting on how we can treat others with dignity, empathy, and respect.
Before attending the Searching for Humanity field trip, lessons and resources will be provided to make sure you and your classroom get the most out of your experience.
Searching for Humanity field trips happen about twice a month throughout the school year, depending on availability.
To register, complete the form here: https://ihene.org/searching-for-humanity-registration-2026-2027/
This program is for students in grades 6–12 and runs from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Please note: At 11:40 a.m., participants move from the Samuel Bak Museum: The Learning Center to UNO’s Barbara Weitz Community Center for lunch and a speaker session.
Directions and parking details will be sent after registration is confirmed.
The program is free of charge. However, transportation to and from the Bak Museum is not provided. Lunch is also not included, so students should plan on bringing their own lunch.
In this kit, you will find photographs that showcase what a typical Searching for Humanity field trip experience may look like. These images are available for use in newsletters, school communications, and social media posts to help share your students’ learning experience and raise awareness about the program.
In this kit, you will find a flyer and additional graphics to share with parents and your school community about the Searching for Humanity field trip experience. Please help us share this information to support and sustain this meaningful educational experience.
If you would like to create posters or invites for your community night, please click here: Searching for Humanity on Canva
To personalize your invitation in Canva, click File in the upper-left corner and select Make a copy from the dropdown menu. Once your copy has been created, you can edit the invitation with your school’s information, dates, times, and any other details you’d like to customize.
If you or your school share photos and highlights from your visit on social media, we would greatly appreciate your help in raising awareness about this important and impactful educational program.
When posting on Facebook or Instagram, please tag:
• @IHENE
• @UNOBAK
In addition to any hashtags you may already use, we ask that you include:
#SearchingForHumanity #HolocaustEducation #ihene
To make posting easy, we have provided a few sample social media captions below. Feel free to use them as written or tailor them to reflect your students’ unique experiences and takeaways from the day.
Thank you for helping us share the importance of Holocaust education and inspiring future generations to choose humanity, compassion, and courage in the face of injustice.
Option 1:
Today, my students had the opportunity to participate in Searching for Humanity, a partnership program of @IHENE and @unobak. Through powerful stories, historic photographs, personal artifacts, and survivor testimony, they explored an important question:
What does it mean to choose humanity in the face of injustice?
One of the most impactful moments was hearing from a second-generation Holocaust survivor, whose family’s story helped history feel personal and real. Our students left with a deeper understanding of courage, compassion, and the importance of standing up for others.
This was more than a field trip, it was a lesson they’ll carry with them long after they leave the classroom.
#SearchingForHumanity #HolocaustEducation #ihene
Option 2:
Our students spent the day exploring Searching for Humanity, an immersive educational experience through @IHENE and @unobak that examines the human impact of the Holocaust. Through survivor testimony, historic artifacts, and powerful stories, they reflected on courage, compassion, and what it means to choose humanity in the face of injustice. A meaningful experience they won’t soon forget.
#SearchingForHumanity #HolocaustEducation #ihene
The Institute for Holocaust Education (IHE) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to teaching the history and lessons of the Holocaust through educational resources, professional development, survivor testimony, and arts-based programming. Serving students, educators, and the broader community, IHE fosters critical thinking about prejudice, racism, human rights, moral responsibility, and civic engagement while supporting Holocaust survivors and their families in our region. Through its programs, IHE empowers learners of all ages to understand the causes and consequences of the Holocaust and apply its lessons to contemporary challenges.
For more information, visit IHE’s website: https://ihene.org/.
