Living history

Although students across the country study historical events that happened in Charleston, many children who live here can't get to those places.

All 3,100 of the school district's fifth-graders will have their chance this spring when they spend a day at Patriots Point immersed in lessons connected to the science and social studies material they must learn.

The program at Patriots Point began three years ago but was eliminated in 2008, apparently because of funding issues. This past spring, the district reinstated the program but only opened it up to students who attend high-poverty schools.

The district made a commitment to provide matching funding for the program after the USS Yorktown Association, a national group made up of the ship's veterans, stepped forward and donated $25,000 so the spring program could happen. The money will cover students' admission fees and transportation costs. It's the only district-wide field trip for students.

"It is a wonderful, wonderful program," said Barbara Hairfield, social studies coordinator for the district. "Building background knowledge and creating real-world experiences for kids is critical for deep learning and comprehension to happen. They can read all day long about World War II in a book, but if they're there and they experience it ... that's where real learning is happening. Every one of them will remember going on that ship."

Students will divide their three hour-trip between history and science lessons. They will talk to a World War II veteran, learn about the attack on Pearl Harbor and perform science experiments with water gathered from nearby estuaries. Students are tested before and after the trip, and their average scores increase by more than 50 percentage points.

"We're an extension of the classroom," said Ned Forney, director of education for Patriots Point.

Students will begin touring Patriots Point in January, a month that's typically slower in terms of tourism. Students' visits will be a morale boost for those aboard the ship and ensure that veterans' memories are preserved, Forney said.

It's up to schools to pay for field trips, and many no longer have money to cover that kind of expense, Hairfield said. She's grateful for the partnership and expects it will result in improved test scores because of students' better understanding of history.

Reach Diette Courrégé at 937-5546 or dcourrege@postandcourier.com.