BY SIERRA DEAN

Boyle County High School

During the first week of April, the Advanced Placement American Government class traveled to Washington D.C. for spring break.

Government teacher Tyler Murphy, in his first year at Boyle, organized the travel plans. “It was a very good trip. We were able to tour the U.S. Capitol building, we explored the different monuments, memorials, and museums, and we got to enjoy those both during the day and night time.”

The trip was not just for fun; it was a true learning experience. “The advantage was that we had learned all of this content so the students had a reference point so they could understand and connect with the lecture at the Supreme Court or with what we learned about with the Library of Congress. Even when visiting Congressman Guthrie’s office, students had previously learned how each of those processes worked.

“The purpose of the trip was to connect what we had been learning in class with actual sights and sounds of Washington, D.C. We learned about all the political processes in class, but the purpose of the trip was to see where it all takes place.

“I would certainly love to make this an every year trip. I think it is a good opportunity for the students.”

Class member Jaelyn Young shared, “It was so cool to be able to see all of the things we learned in class in person. We have talked about the different facets of government and seeing those buildings in D.C. in person made everything we learned so interesting.”