Hands-On History: Henry School Fifth Graders Embark on First-Ever South Dakota Capstone Trip
- Steve Jurrens
- 15 hours ago
- 3 min read
Northeast Radio SD News – Henry, SD - Classroom textbooks came to life this month as the Henry School fifth-grade class returned from their inaugural South Dakota Capstone Trip. The trip marks a new tradition for the school, following recent state standard shifts that moved these core South Dakota history and science focuses from the fourth grade to the fifth grade.
Julie Grund, one of the leading educators on the trip, emphasized the invaluable nature of the experience. “I just really feel it’s important to do the hands-on learning to solidify everything they learn in the classroom,” Grund shared. “When you’re able to apply it, it’s going to stick that way.”
From subterranean caverns to monumental carvings, the students covered hundreds of miles, transforming the Mount Rushmore State into their personal classroom.
Unearthing History at the Mammoth Site and Badlands
The expedition kicked off with some heavy-duty science. At The Mammoth Site in Hot Springs, student Sage Nerison enjoyed an insider tour of the active paleontological excavation. Students even participated in a simulated bone dig.
“We got to dig up other bones—realistic bones, probably 3D-printed,” Sage explained, noting that the experience taught them far more than just looking at a display.
The ancient world met vibrant geography at Badlands National Park, where the students marveled at the multi-colored rock formations layered in pinks, oranges, and deep browns. The students noted the unique clay-like texture of the hills and even spotted mountain goat tracks winding through the peaks.
Monumental Discoveries and Capitol Secrets
No trip to Western South Dakota is complete without visiting the state’s iconic monuments. At the Crazy Horse Memorial, student Faith Church enjoyed examining historical Native American clothing and dolls. The class learned that an astonishing 90% of the massive mountain carving was executed using precisely targeted dynamite.
Over at Mount Rushmore, student Madie Harkness navigated the Avenue of Flags to find the South Dakota flag and explored the interactive museum exhibits. The students even got to press simulation buttons to see how dynamite blasts carved the presidents’ faces, and eagle-eyed students successfully spotted the carved outline of Teddy Roosevelt’s famous spectacles.
The history lessons continued at the State Capitol in Pierre, where the kids turned into historical detectives. They learned about the Capitol’s famous hand-laid floor tiles, specifically hunting for the mystery of the missing tiles. Out of 66 original light-blue tiles, only 55 were ever placed, leaving 11 shrouded in mystery.
The kids also discovered architectural quirks, like a solid marble staircase pedestal that was accidentally installed upside down because it was too expensive to replace, and the classic Roman-style spelling of “SOUTH DAKOTA” on the building’s exterior, which uses a “V” instead of a “U.”
Wildlife, Wild West, and Daily Reflection
In Spearfish, the class visited the D.C. Booth Historic National Fish Hatchery, where they fed rainbow, brown, and lake trout. The students laughed watching the fish “belly-flop” over one another, fighting for food pellets alongside a few brave local ducks.
The trip rounded out with an immersive look at regional culture at a local rodeo museum, featuring statues of legendary cowboy Casey Tibbs, an authentic tipi, and historical tools. Students learned how early Plains inhabitants utilized every part of the bison—including using the bladder to carry water and crafting early “fidget toys” out of bone and string.
To ensure the lessons stuck, the students kept a custom Capstone journal throughout the journey, answering daily reflection questions and drawing their favorite memories. With the first trip officially in the books, the Henry School fifth graders have set a high bar for future classes to follow.
