Eisenhower Site and City of York (Pa.) Schools Receive Ticket to Ride Grant

Students from McKinley School participating in the Eisenhower: Man of Many Hats program.

News Release Date: May 3, 2013

Contact: Carol Hegeman, 717-338-9114 Ext. 4411

Thanks to a generous grant from the National Park Foundation and Disney, students from the City of York School District will have an opportunity to visit the Eisenhower National Historic Site.The Eisenhower Site was just awarded a Ticket To Ride grant that will pay for the travel expenses to transport the students to President Eisenhower's farm in Gettysburg. This transportation funding will allow fifth grade students both this year and next year to participate in the site's curriculum-based, character education program, "The Molding of a Leader."

Teachers will introduce their students to Dwight D. Eisenhower as they prepare them in the classroom to participate in the site program. Students will learn to "Get On the Right TRRACC Like Ike" as they examine what it means to be Trustworthy, Responsible, Respectful, Accountable, Caring and a good Citizen. During the visit to the historic site, a park ranger will lead them in the "Eisenhower: A Man of Many Hats" program as students role-play different time periods in Eisenhower's life when Eisenhower learned or exhibited good character.

Next fall, York eighth grade students will also visit the Eisenhower Site to participate in Agricultural Science field studies on Soil and Water. Students will learn about Eisenhower's conservation ethic to leave the land better than he found it.  At the site, students will engage in hands-on science amid the farm's cropland and wetlands. Students will be introduced to local geology, conduct a field study to analyze soil samples for chemical, biological and physical structure, and investigate how farmers effectively manage croplands.  They will learn about the water cycle and watersheds, and conduct a stream study including chemical analysis and invertebrate census.   

"Studies have shown that experiential, place-based learning has lasting impacts on students," noted Supervisory Historian Carol Hegeman.  "For many City of York students, this Ticket to Ride field trip will be their first visit to a national park but, hopefully, it will not be their last visit.  With decreasing school district budgets, assistance from outside donors is important to provide school students with these learning experiences."

In addition to the funds provided by the National Park Foundation and Disney, other donors supporting these field trips include the Dwight D. Eisenhower Society, the Gettysburg Foundation, and the Grace Fellowship Church of York, Pennsylvania.

For more information contact the Eisenhower National Historic Site at 717/ 338-9114 or visit the web site at www.nps.gov/eise

EDITOR'S NOTE: FILM/PHOTO OPPORTUNITY - On Tuesday, May 14 between 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. as students from Ferguson Elementary School, York, Pennsylvania, visit Eisenhower National Historic Site.For directions to the site or more information please contact Carol Hegeman, 717-338-9114, ext. 4411.