Issued:  2025-2026

Type:  Teacher grant

Amount:  $1,200

Reach:  Gifted students at ACHS

Applicant(s):  Mark Fleske

Description:

The proposed field trip for gifted students at Andover Central High School to the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum is an initiative that embodies imagination, creativity, and innovation in several key ways:

Imagination: By organizing a field trip to a historical site like the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum, we are encouraging students to step outside the traditional classroom setting and engage with history in a more dynamic and impactful way. This experience will inspire students to imagine the historical events, personal stories, and societal impacts in a manner that textbooks alone cannot convey. It provides a fertile ground for imaginative thinking by allowing students to envision themselves as part of a larger historical narrative.

Creativity: This trip is designed to foster creative thinking by offering students a chance to explore the complex themes of resilience, healing, and hope that the memorial embodies. Through interactive exhibits, students can creatively interact with history, analyzing and interpreting information in a way that encourages personal reflection and artistic expression.

Innovation: Innovation in education is about finding new ways to engage students and enhance learning outcomes. This field trip leverages experiential learning, which is a powerful educational tool. By immersing students in a real-world learning environment, we are using an innovative approach to deepen their understanding and retention of historical events. Furthermore, integrating this experience into the curriculum encourages cross-disciplinary connections, such as linking history with social studies, ethics, and even art, thereby promoting a more comprehensive educational experience.

In conclusion, this grant will support a field trip that not only enriches the educational experience of gifted students but also aligns with the mission of Andover Public Schools to promote excellence through imaginative, creative, and innovative educational opportunities.