During the intensive we will be exploring themes inspired by Towers of Tomorrow by looking into Seattle’s architectural past.

What has shaped the way our built environment looks, feels, and functions? What historical innovations have contributed to local engineering and architecture? How do buildings form and inform the ways in which we live? How does the built environment impact and reflect geography, history, and culture? How do buildings and structures help us remember or forget the past?

We will explore these questions throughout Seattle’s past and in our own lives through in-gallery exploration, research in the MOHAI collection, and exploring the neighborhood around us.

We will also be exploring creative ways to interpret and share history—online! Time will be spent looking at examples of digital public history projects, experimenting with creative exercises, and learning about some of the easy to use (and often free) digital tools that are available to help us communicate ideas and tell stories. We will also be spending time practicing core history skills like research, analysis, writing, and editing.

Over the course of the two weeks, participants will conduct their own research and produce a work of historical interpretation to be published on the Rainy Day History website. Participants will be paid a $150 stipend for their work.

Participation is limited to six participants. History Lab is open to high school students entering grades 10-12 in the 2024/25 school year.

You don’t have to be a history buff to apply! We are looking for people who are interested in creative storytelling, passionate about local issues, and using history to understand and make an impact on the world around us.

Online applications for History Lab 2024 are due no later than May 24, 2024 at 11:59pm.

For most questions, you will be able to share either a written or verbal response. If you need more time to complete the application than you thought, click “save and continue later” to pick up where you left off at another time.

All applicants will be notified whether they have been selected for the program by June 21, 2024. Feel free to email education@mohai.org with any questions, concerns, or accommodation needs.

Apply now!