The Application of Classroom Curriculum
There is no better way to capture the interest of student learners on an educational history trip, than through the exploration of landmarks that played a major role in the development of this nation. Many of our educational history agendas include the expeditions of sites like the White House, Williamsburg, the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, and the US Capitol. We take a direct approach in getting school students involved in both community and volunteer efforts. As an active participant of such responsibilities, student participants are encouraged to further their efforts to include leadership work with the USO and direct community volunteerism.
What a Service-Learning School History Trip Looks Like
There are many different types of service projects that students can get involved in during their school history trips. Some students will learn about slavery at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center and then volunteer to help restore a historic slave trail, while other students might write letters for Amnesty International. Still, other students might put together care packages for our country’s active military personnel and bring them to the USO for distribution.
The Advantages of Combining History Trips With Civic Engagement
The cognitive benefits that stem from history service-learning are quite extensive. Research suggests that students who are civically engaged in positive service-learning responsibilities are inclined to:
- Demonstrate an ongoing excelling performance on tests
- Demonstrate higher levels of self-esteem
- Demonstrate an individual sense of purpose
- Demonstrate a greater connection with their community
- Demonstrate a greater interest in graduating high school and college
