In March 2023, a group of eighth graders from Meridian Middle School spent a week exploring Washington, D.C. The trip was organized by eighth grade social studies teacher Kristin Garlatz.
“I used to bring groups of high schoolers to D.C. when I worked for a previous district, it was a highlight of those student’s high school experience and I always had so much fun sharing our nation’s history right there where so much of it happens,” Garlatz said.
With that in mind, she started organizing a trip for interested eighth graders.
“I think experiential learning is so impactful, for example talking about the Civil War and the impact it had on our country in front of the Lincoln Memorial means something different when you can put it in context with the U.S. Capitol building at the other end of the mall, you can see the continuity of our legislators working for the country in the shadow of our history. ”
During the trip, students visited several museums and monuments around Washington, D.C., and also had the opportunity meet with U.S. House Representative Rick Larsen.
“I was excited that our students were able to meet with Rep. Larsen and was impressed with the generosity of his staff with their own time and how important it was for them to meet with students from Meridian.”
Students reflected on their trip and shared it with the School Board on April 12. Students said they enjoyed the experience and hope it is something future eighth graders will get to participate in. Garlatz said wants to offer the trip next year and is hoping to find a way for it be affordable for more students.