DOWNINGTOWN, PA — The Brandywine Virtual Academy (BVA) is revolutionizing the online education landscape by integrating regular in-person field trips into its curriculum. This innovative initiative, known as “History Hikes,” allows students to explore local sites of historical significance on a weekly basis.
The History Hikes program was launched at the start of the current school year, offering students from BVA and the Philadelphia Virtual Academy (PVA) an opportunity to enrich their online learning experience beyond the confines of digital screens.
Spearheading this initiative are BVA history teachers Andy Wagner and Bryant Aragona, who believe that education should extend beyond classrooms and computer screens. They proposed the idea to Dr. Mark Slider, BVA supervisor of online learning, who enthusiastically backed the concept of consistent field trips. Thanks to their collective efforts, what used to be sporadic BVA field trips are now a weekly feature of the academy’s curriculum.
“We wanted to create more opportunities for our students by offering these trips weekly and across the region we serve,” commented Wagner. “These excursions not only offer a healthy option for students to get out and move, but also allow them to discover places they might want to revisit independently,” he added.
Dr. Slider praised the positive impact of the History Hikes on the students’ learning journey. “Our dedicated BVA staff work hard to build strong relationships with students and bring history and science to life for them,” he said.
One of the students, Samaiyah Dorsey from PVA, shared her enthusiasm about a recent trip to the Museum of the American Revolution. “I had fun, and I got to spend time with my mom and teacher,” she said. When asked if she would recommend History Hikes to other virtual students, she responded, “I would recommend it because you can learn a few things while having fun.”
Recent History Hikes have taken students to several interesting locations, including Pottsgrove Manor, the Coatesville Iron and Steel Museum, and President James Buchanan’s house.
BVA provides students across Chester County with the opportunity to pursue their education virtually. The academy’s courses are developed and taught by locally based, Pennsylvania-certified teachers and meet all Pennsylvania state standards. For more information about BVA and its innovative approach to online learning, visit the academy’s website.
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