Interactive history, student style

Take a walk back into Nevada's history.

At Jacks Valley Elementary School on Saturday, a crew of volunteers broke ground on a three-phase project called The Nevada History Walk.

The 16-kiosk walk will tell about Nevada's history and be next to the school's Habitat Center.

"Each kiosk will have an explanation," said third- and fourth-grade loop teacher Kathleen Barton, who got the idea last year after teaching her fourth-grade students Nevada history. "The focus will be all the way from the beginning of our history when the Indians were here, to when we were part of Utah, all the way through to when we became a state during the Civil War, to where we are now with water being our largest problem here and how we're such a growing community."

Dan Evans of Evans Homes & Computer Drafting in Minden came Saturday to help Barton start the project. Volunteers worked from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

"I'm hoping eventually we'll be able to have a sound system at each kiosk," Barton said.

The first and second phases of the project are planned to be complete this year and include putting in a pathway, building the kiosks, and fencing the area.

The last phase will be to put the signs on the kiosks.

"My kids are going to be active in helping me build this," she said. "The students are going to write up what's going to be on the kiosks.

"We are going to have an Indian section. I would love for anyone who wants to help create and maintain it work with the kids because I really want it to be authentic."

Lowe's and Home Depot have contributed to the project. Barton is applying for grants with several agencies, and the Douglas County School District has agreed to put up the fencing.

"Anyone interested in participating or donating, you know, we still need some fencing," she said. "Lowe's has donated probably a fourth of the fencing already. We are still looking for fencing, grants and donations."

She said after the walkway is complete, she will figure out a way for students from other schools to visit. There will also be an archeological dig nearby.

"We might even have a certain day where we'll open to the public and the community can come," she said. "We just want people to see different ways of learning and provide a high level of educating our students."

To help with time or donations, call Barton at the school at 267-3267 or home at 267-5909.

n Contact reporter Maggie O'Neill at moneill@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1219.