never lacked for support. All I had to do was make a sound and compelling case for what we wanted to do. The ultimate beneficiaries were the students. “It is one of the few projects where I think I have done something that has significance,” noted one student. “It was the ultimate project,” said another. The first participants are now college graduates, festooned with awards from The History Channel, the Society for American Archaeology, and the American Association for State and Local History, to name but a few. The network is still intact, awaiting yet another adventure. !

Steven Branting retired in 2009 after thirty- three years as an award- winning consultant for gifted and innovative programs. He resides in Idaho. sbranting@ lewistonschools.net

Archaeological field school, Red Bird Beach, Idaho

Tree coring, Normal Hill Cemetery

Pioneer Park historical kiosk ©SYNERGY LEARNING • 800-769-6199 • MARCH/APRIL 2012 Connect • PAGE 7

pam brandsema

christa adams

steven branting