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FSCH students explore history, capitol
A group of students from Fort Scott Christian Heights recently had the opportunity to enhance their classroom studies with a visit to the capital of Kansas.
On Sept. 25, the Christian Heights seventh and eighth grade American history class visited the Capitol Building and the Kansas Museum of History, both in Topeka, according to FSCH student Zadok Self.
"On Friday, the 25th, we went on a field trip to the capital of our state, Topeka," Self said. "Our first stop was the museum. We learned about America from the prehistoric to now. After that, we went to the Capitol (Building) and climbed to the top of the dome."
Christian Heights teacher Karen Schellack said taking the field trip helped to heighten the students' awareness of Kansas.
"The purpose (of the trip) was to give them a first-hand experience with the history we are studying in class," Schellack said. "It enhanced their learning experience. (At the museum) they were able to actually see some original items that settlers would have had with them as they were traveling on the trails."
According to Schellack, time spent at the museum allowed the students to see how life has progressed in Kansas through the years.
"It really made an impression on the students to see how things have changed over the years," she said.
FSCH student Madyson McColm said she too felt the museum visit helped her learn many Kansas facts.
"We learned lots of interesting things about Kansas and the early people like Indians and settlers," McColm said.
According to FSCH student Sami Creamer, visiting the museum was her favorite part of the trip to Topeka.
"I liked the museum because it had so many old-time things," she said. "I liked that train ride in it. I have never been in a museum where I had such a good time."
Although the students were able to learn much from their visit to the museum, it was not the only memorable part of the field trip, according to FSCH student Lil Hall.
"I thought the museum was fun, but going to the Capitol (Building) was my favorite," she said.
According to Tyler Dobbs, FSCH student, at the Capitol Building, the students had the opportunity to travel to the top of the building's dome.
"We went to the Capitol, and then we started on a journey that is 296 steps," Dobbs said. "I only went up to where it swirls."
FSCH student Eric Page said some visitors to the Capitol Building never make it to the top of the building's dome.
"We went all the way to the dome," he said. "On the way up, this guy was scared because he thought he would fall through the floor. We had to go up two or three hundred stairs. Man, that's high."
Although the top of the dome stands high above the ground, Hall said she enjoyed being able to journey to the top.
"The view was amazing," she said. "When I looked down, everyone looked like ants. It was worth every terrifying moment."
Overall, the field trip was a positive experience for the FSCH students, according to field trip participant Zack Pridey.
"Topeka is a very good historic town," he said. "It is fun, and you gain a lot of historic information. It you make it to the top of the Capitol's dome, you lose a lot of energy, but in the end, it all turns out fun."
According to Schellack, in order to help the students retain information learned during the museum portion of the field trip, they were given a scavenger hunt to complete.