A Day of Learning
Honoring Our Nation’s Veterans
2023 – St. Augustine National Cemetery
Orlando-area fourth graders and University of Central Florida historians traveled to the St. Augustine National Cemetery to honor the legacies of American military veterans on March 6, 2023. During UCF’s Day of Learning, the children—who were studying Florida history—learned about the contributions of African Americans during World War I and the imprisonment of Plains Indians during the 1870s and the ledger art they created.
Please enjoy this photo essay of images taken during the 4th-grade field trip at St. Augustine National Cemetery in March 2023.
2019 – St. Augustine National Cemetery
Orlando-area fourth graders and University of Central Florida historians traveled to the St. Augustine National Cemetery to honor the legacies of American military veterans on May 20, 2019. During UCF’s annual Day of Learning, the children—who were studying Florida history—were addressed by three UCF student veterans, sharing their personal experiences and unique insights. Through interactive activity sessions, they also received detailed information on the history of the cemetery, the headstones, Florida’s Second Seminole War and the contributions of African Americans during World War I.
Welcome & OrientationStars and Stripes Station Rotation I
Lunch/Bathroom Break
Stars and Stripes Station Rotation II
Stars Learning & Activity Stations – St. Augustine National Cemetery
- An Introduction to the St. Augustine National Cemetery
- 19th Century Wars: Traveling Through Time
- Finding the Forgotten: African Americans in World War I
- How to Make a Headstone Rubbing
Stripes Learning & Activity Stations – Florida National Guard Grounds
- Elegant Mules
- St. Francis Barracks and the First Militia
- Ask a Vet
- Thank a Vet
Our faculty, staff, and student researchers reflect on the field trip in the following student produced podcast about the Day of Learning:
2018 – St. Augustine National Cemetery
The Day of Learning at St. Augustine National Cemetery is a hands-on-history educational program that honors US Military Veterans. Part of the National Cemetery Administration’s Veterans Legacy Program, this unique experience offers K-12 students the opportunity to learn about the important role the St. Augustine National Cemetery plays in our community as a site where we mourn, commemorate and remember our Veterans. Students interact with University of Central Florida History faculty, graduate and undergraduate students at various learning and activity stations. The format for the 2018 Day of Learning is outlined below:
Welcome & Commemoration CeremonyStars Learning & Activity Stations – St. Augustine National Cemetery
- An Introduction to the St. Augustine National Cemetery
- 19th Century Wars: Traveling Through Time
- Finding the Forgotten: African Americans in World War I
- How to Make a Headstone Rubbing
Stripes Learning & Activity Stations – Florida National Guard Grounds
- St. Francis Barracks and the First Militia
- Veteran Voices from the Past
- World War I Lives and Legacies
- Ask a Vet. Thank a Vet.
Concluding Lunch and Learn
Our faculty, staff, and student researchers reflect on the field trip in the following student produced podcast about the Day of Learning:
2017 – Florida National Cemetery
Nearly 140 Central Florida seventh graders engaged in a hands-on history educational program that honored the lives and legacies of US Military Veterans interred at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida. Part of the National Cemetery Administration’s Veterans Legacy Program, the Central Florida Lives & Legacies Field Trip offered students a day of learning about the important role national cemeteries play in our community as a site where we mourn, commemorate and remember our veterans.
University of Central Florida College of Arts and Humanities faculty, staff, graduate and undergraduate students organized the field trip that took place on May 19, 2017. The day of learning consisted of a Commemoration Ceremony, Lunch & Learn, Lives & Legacies Tour and Veterans Learning Stations. The Lives & Legacies Tour included six graveside locations within sections 104 and 103 of the Florida National Cemetery. Each location featured a UCF professor or staff member, and/or student sharing information about veterans buried within the vicinity. Hosted in sections MC, MD and along the Memorial Walk, the Veteran Learning Stations provided insight into veterans in America and offered seventh graders opportunities for interaction and critical thinking. Students also participated in a thank-a-vet lettering writing activity as one of the stations.
Our faculty, staff, and student researchers reflect on the field trip in the following student produced podcast about the Day of Learning:
