High school students are making their way through their study of Missouri in the 19th century this month. As part of this study, students began to research African-American experiences in Missouri before the Civil War. Students were tasked with locating, annotating, and sharing a minimum of three helpful sources before crafting a research question which will guide them over the next week. Some are looking into the Missouri Compromise, others are examining the Dred Scott decision, and some are learning of Missouri’s unique position during the Civil War. This work will culminate in a formal, argumentative essay on the topic each student has chosen, providing practice of a very useful skill. Today was especially fun, as students began to see the exciting roads their research is taking them down.