Third grader Beckett Ball of Amelia Earhart Elementary School had one question when his teacher, Kelci Mohr, announced the Kansas Day project: What can I create? It was Kansas Day, the annual celebration of the Sunflower State's history and spirit, and Beckett's assignment was to build a model of Silvisaurus condrayi, the official State Land Fossil of Kansas - a dinosaur that once walked where sunflowers now bloom.
The project, launched three years ago by 3rd Grade Teacher, Annie Baldwin, has grown more exciting with each passing year. Now, all Earhart third graders participate, transforming the school into a vibrant showcase of Kansas pride and creativity.
Beckett didn't quite know how he'd tackle his dinosaur at first. "It was very cool to have a dinosaur," he said. But figuring out how to build one - that took teamwork. So Beckett and his dad sat down with supplies: Styrofoam balls and toothpicks to shape the body, colorful molding clay to add texture, white rocks for the spikes, and bits and pieces of this and that, plus some spray paint, until the model took shape.
When Kansas Day arrived, Beckett's Silvisaurus stood proudly on display alongside the projects of his classmates. Families and students gathered to learn about Kansas symbols and stories, and many paused to admire his model. Beckett felt a flutter of nerves as visitors leaned in to ask questions, but his smile and confidence grew with every story he told and compliment he received.
The highlight of his day came when Joel Condray stopped by. Condray, a Challenger Intermediate School teacher whose own grandfather discovered the real Silvisaurus fossil back in the 1950s, had helped students from Challenger teach lawmakers about the dinosaur and make it Kansas's official land fossil in 2023.
"I'm really proud of you, Beckett," Condray said as he handed him a copy of A True Kansas Treasure, the children's book he wrote telling the story of the find and his grandfather's legacy. The book was autographed just for Beckett. "This is the first student report and project inspired by the Silvisaurus since it became our state's land fossil. You're making history in your own way today."
For Beckett, that moment was unforgettable - a connection between his own project, history, and the people who helped bring this story to life.
When asked what he loves most about living in the Sunflower State, Beckett didn't talk about fossils or projects. He talked about sunflowers, and how every morning on the bus ride to school, he watches fields of golden blossoms along Pawnee Street, waving in the breeze like nature's own welcome sign.
Celebrating Kansas Day at Amelia Earhart wasn't just about facts and display. It was about pride, curiosity, and sharing what students learned with others. As Principal Marney Hay has often said about classroom projects like this, these experiences give students a chance to present their work, build confidence, and celebrate what it means to be part of Kansas history. That's a big part of why Kansas Day matters in every classroom.
By the end of the day, Beckett's dinosaur was no longer just a model made of clay and rocks - it was a reminder of what can happen when curiosity meets courage. From a bus ride past blooming sunflowers to a connection with the very people who helped shape Kansas history, Beckett's Kansas Day experience reflected the spirit of the state itself. Just as the Kansas motto proclaims, "Ad Astra Per Aspera,” or "to the stars through difficulties,” even a third grader with an idea, a little nervousness, and a lot of determination can reach something extraordinary.