Adventures in Education offers unique experiences for MHS students
Courtesy photo Students from Mullan Jr./Sr. High School snap a picture with principal Don Kotschevar during their Adventures in Education field trip to the Route of the Hiawatha bike trail.
Paul Elston (standing on the right) gives the students a quick history lesson during one of their stops on their bike ride.
MULLAN — Students at Mullan High School got a little fresh air and exercise as part of a history lesson on the Route of the Hiawatha.
The trip was part of Mullan’s Adventures in Education course, a revolutionary class that gives students from MHS opportunities in varying aspects of industry and education that they may not get otherwise.
This field trip was probably the nearest of all of the adventures for the students, but a fitting way to kick off the school year.
“It is an opportunity to get students outside the brick and mortar classroom,” MHS principal Don Kotschevar said. “The kids loved it.”
The Route of the Hiawatha is a 15-mile, interstate bike trail that follows the path of the former railroads through the tunnels and over the trestles that it used to run on, including the near 2-mile Taft Tunnel.
The event offers riders a chance to get some exercise while receiving a detailed look at what life was like when the railroad was operating.
“Paul Elston our history teacher was the highlight of our trip stopping along the way giving in depth historical lessons,” Kotschevar said.
As mentioned, this being the first trip of the season, it is merely the tip of the iceberg as to what is in store for the students for the rest of the year.
Kotschevar is passionate about giving his students as many opportunities to see and experience the many differing parts of the world as possible and has cultivated several partnerships to help the students find something that tickles their interest.
“Students in Mullan do not get many opportunities to experience what is available to them outside of the valley or even opportunities within the valley,” Kotschevar said. “On these adventures we teach history, job opportunities and future careers. Locally, we have partnered with Lookout Pass, Route of the Hiawatha and Silver Streak Zipline to offer an affordable way to get students these experiences. We have also partnered with museums in Spokane and Missoula, U.S. Army, the local sheriff's office, and search and rescue to name a few. The Apple Store in Spokane, has provide Computer Science training, STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) opportunities, Avalanche Training with Idaho Department of Parks and Rec. and the Idaho Department of Lands.”
The program is one of the major highlights of being a student at MHS, and one that the staff and administration take very seriously for their students.
“I travel quite often and have even been in 49 of our 50 states. That being said, I believe it is important for students to see and experience the world around them,” Kotschevar said. “They need to see careers other than what the Silver Valley has to offer. Many parents do not have the resources to show their children these opportunities — I feel it’s our duty to give them every opportunity possible.”