With historic sites around almost every corner, the greater Fredericksburg area is the perfect location for the History on Wheels summer program sponsored by Spotsylvania County Public Schools. Now making plans for its second summer session, History on Wheels provides students with hands-on learning and real-world applications and skills related to history, civics, geography and language.
The Community Foundation recently awarded the program a grant from the Trust for Public Education IV Fund, which was created in 1999 by NTS Virginia Development Company. Now, 26 years later, this grant continues to support projects that benefit Spotsylvania County students and teachers.
Tiya Shaw, K-12 History and Social Sciences Learning Support Specialist for Spotsylvania County Public Schools, says this grant will enable the History on Wheels program to host 60 rising sixth and rising ninth graders for a three-week exploratory session that transports students out of the classroom and into the field.
“We are so excited to help our students engage with history at important sites right here in the Fredericksburg area,” says Tiya. “They’ll get hands-on experience, meet real-life experts and learn about career opportunities they may not have even heard of.”
Plans currently include trips to 12 locations in Stafford and Spotsylvania Counties and around Fredericksburg. Theresa Cramer, Education and Public Programs Manager with the Fredericksburg Area Museum, coordinates with Tiya to plan some of the sessions within the museum gallery. She explains the goal is to teach them more than just facts.
“Through our exhibits, we cover local history, including the Revolutionary War and the Civil War. We also let them engage with history in a way that helps them develop analytical thinking skills and empathy,” says Theresa. “We want these students to understand the past and see how it touched and affected real people who once lived here within our own community.”
Funds from The Community Foundation will help provide teacher and student resources for the History on Wheels summer program, including field journals. “It’s so great to get these students out and about in the summer, away from walls, TVs, and computers,” says Tiya. “These journals will help them apply what they learn, reflect on how it relates to them and also practice their language skills.”
With a passion for teaching and more than 20 years of experience, Tiya says her greatest hope for these students is that they become knowledge seekers, creators, and effective collaborators.
“I’m a visionary,” she adds. “One of the most beautiful parts of this program is being able to see these students just be kids. Sometimes we expect them to grow up too fast, but if we can help them have fun and learn something that can transform their lives and serve them throughout their academic journeys and beyond – well, that’s what it’s all about.”
SIDEBAR:
The Trust for Public Education IV Fund is an example of one of many Designated Funds stewarded by The Community Foundation of the Rappahannock River Region. Originally created in 1999, the fund continues to provide support specifically for Spotsylvania County Public Schools. Learn more about how you can establish a Designated Fund to support a need or program that inspires you. Contact us today at info@cfrrr.org or call 540-373-9292.