H.E.R.O. Project · Curriculum
The men and women who fought on the battlefields and won on the playing fields — a challenge-based program for high school and college students. Six weeks, five case studies, one film-trailer contest.
Purpose
Activating the hero gene in every student.
This curriculum challenges high school and college students to explore the meaning of heroism, selflessness, duty, and honor. Students learn about American military service from 1776 to present, then apply these lessons into creative short film trailers as part of a contest to win prizes and merchandise.
THE HERO KIT = HIGHER EDUCATION RESILIENCY OPERATION → ACTIVATING THE “HERO GENE” IN EVERY STUDENT
Core narrative
One Team, One America
From the Revolution to today, America’s strength comes from the service and sacrifice of its people.
Heroism Defined
Not just bravery in combat, but leadership, integrity, and selflessness on and off the battlefield.
Blood and Treasure
Freedom isn’t free. Every generation has paid in sacrifice for the red, white, and blue.
Learning objectives
- 01Understand the timeline of U.S. military service & sacrifice (1776–present).
- 02Examine case studies of athletes who also served in uniform.
- 03Explore the concept of duty, honor, and resilience.
- 04Create short-form video projects (film trailers) inspired by historical narratives.
- 05Apply lessons of leadership and teamwork to modern challenges.
Learning outcomes · by the end of the program, students will
- 01Understand the historical timeline of U.S. military service (1776–present).
- 02Define the core values of heroism: selflessness, leadership, honor, resilience.
- 03Explore case studies of Jackie Robinson, Joe Louis, Sugar Ray Robinson, Willie Mays, and Arthur Ashe.
- 04Apply challenge-based learning to produce film trailer projects.
- 05Collaborate as “one team” to showcase unity and creativity.
Timeline module
Service & Sacrifice, 1776 → present.
1776–1865
Independence & Civil War — the birth of American heroism.
WWI & WWII
The “Fight for the Right to Fight” & the Double Victory Campaign.
COLD WAR & KOREA
Sports icons serving during conflict.
VIETNAM → GULF WAR
Service during cultural division.
21ST CENTURY
Modern service & peacetime contributions.
Tentpole case studies · each module uses paired athletic / military lenses
Five men, two uniforms each.
Facilitator's guide · instructor edition
The six weeks.
Victory By Valor is a challenge-based learning program where students explore American heroism through military service and athletic achievement. Over several weeks, students study historical narratives, analyze case studies of sports heroes who served in uniform, and create short film trailers (2–3 minutes) that embody the values of duty, honor, and sacrifice.
- Icebreaker: What does “heroism” mean to you?
- Video clips: Victory by Valor trailers.
- Assignment: Journal reflection on “Blood and Treasure – Freedom Isn’t Free.”
- Interactive timeline activity (Revolution, Civil War, WWII, Korea, etc.).
- Group discussion: “What do we owe past generations?”
- Assignment: Timeline infographic — students map major events.
- Read / watch provided resources.
- Discussion: Sports and service as parallel battlegrounds.
- Assignment: Mini-essay on leadership in uniform & on the field.
- Video clips & archival images.
- Discussion: Sacrifice during career prime.
- Assignment: Group poster — “One Team, One America” campaign.
- Basic trailer structure — three acts: Challenge, Struggle, Triumph.
- Students select a case study hero or theme.
- Begin production: scripts, visuals, narration, sound.
- Screen final trailers.
- Peer review & judging (rubric provided).
- Winners receive merchandise and recognition on the Victory By Valor website.
WEEK 1
Introduction: One Team, One America
WEEK 2
Service & Sacrifice Timeline (1776–Present)
WEEK 3
Case Study: Jackie Robinson & Joe Louis
WEEK 4
Case Study: Willie Mays, Sugar Ray Robinson, Arthur Ashe
WEEK 5
Creative Workshop: Storyboarding a Hero Trailer
WEEK 6
Competition Week
Assignments
Four ways to earn it.
Reflection essay
“What does it mean to serve when freedom isn’t free?”
Hero case study
Research one athlete / soldier and present their dual service.
Film trailer project
A 2–3 minute short highlighting duty, honor, and sacrifice — submitted as a contest entry.
Team challenge
Groups create “One Team, One America” campaign posters.
Module · Living History
Ask a veteran. Get an answer.
Interactive veteran archives are planned as a core learning module within Victory By Valor. Students won’t just read about or watch clips of military heroes — they will be able to ask questions and receive authentic video answers from veterans, Medal of Honor recipients, and POWs.
PLANNED MODULE · BUILT ON STORYFILE-STYLE INTERACTIVE INTERVIEWS · NO PARTNERSHIP IS STATED ON THIS PAGE
- Authentic voices: Veterans’ stories in their own words.
- Engagement: Students get a near face-to-face conversation experience.
- Bridging eras: Connects the 1776–present timeline with real human testimony.
- Challenge-based learning: Students move from passive learning to active interviewing, reflection, and creative application.
Reference archives named in the guide
- National WWII Museum — “Voices from the Front”
- National Medal of Honor Museum — “Virtual Recipient”
- National Naval Aviation Museum — “Return With Honor”
- Veterans’ Stories Initiative
Classroom activity ideas
- Interactive interview assignment
- Compare & contrast essay
- Trailer enhancement challenge
Bring the HERO Kit to your school
Facilitator's guides, the timeline, the case studies and the contest rubric are booked through the Dakar Foundation.