Students at Longwood High School will soon take part in a hands-on civics learning experience in Philadelphia thanks to a competitive national grant awarded to social studies teacher Jeanne Knudsen.
The grant was awarded through the American Battlefield Trust’s History Field Trip Grant Program and will fund a civics-focused trip for students enrolled in Longwood’s New York State Seal of Civics program. The trip is designed to strengthen students’ understanding of American democracy by connecting classroom instruction with historically significant locations.
During the visit, students will tour Independence Hall, the Museum of the American Revolution, and the National Constitution Center. The sites are closely tied to the nation’s founding and will allow students to explore the principles, documents, and debates that shaped the United States.
The grant was awarded through a competitive national application process and recognizes innovative teaching practices that emphasize experiential learning and civic engagement.
Knudsen said the trip is especially meaningful because it coincides with the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. She noted that the funding makes it possible for students to learn in the city where the document was signed and to gain a deeper appreciation of the nation’s history and constitutional foundations.
Superintendent of Schools Dr. Lance Lohman said the grant reflects the district’s ongoing commitment to civics education and praised the opportunity for students to experience history firsthand during a milestone anniversary in the nation’s story.
The American Battlefield Trust’s History Field Trip Grant Program provides both financial assistance and logistical support to K–12 educators planning visits to sites associated with the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, and the Civil War. During the 2024–2025 school year, the program supported trips for more than 12,000 students from 35 states.
Additional information about the American Battlefield Trust is available at battlefields.org.