Students from McCook Senior High recently returned from an unforgettable 10-day Science & History Exploration Trip through Wyoming, Yellowstone National Park, Grand Teton National Park, the Bighorn Mountains, and the Black Hills of South Dakota. This group of students included Fatima Rodriguez Hernandez, Jenna Degnan, Isaac Crayton, Caleb Felker, Drake Duckworth, Isaiah Crayton and Truman Hancock. The trip was led by 8th grade science teacher, Cory Degnan.
The trip provided students with the opportunity to experience firsthand the geology, history, wildlife, and natural wonders they have studied in the classroom. From hiking beneath the towering peaks of the Tetons to witnessing the geysers and hot springs of Yellowstone, students were immersed in some of the most remarkable landscapes in North America.
Along the way, students explored the unique rock formations of Vedauwoo, visited historic petroglyph and pictograph sites near Dubois, learned about the volcanic history of the Absaroka Mountains, studied glacial features in Grand Teton National Park, examined geothermal processes in Yellowstone, visited the Medicine Wheel in the Bighorn Mountains, and explored Jewel Cave in South Dakota.
The experience extended far beyond textbooks. Students spent their days hiking, observing wildlife, exploring historic and cultural sites, camping under the stars, and engaging in thoughtful discussions about the science and history that have shaped the American West. Throughout the trip, they demonstrated responsibility, teamwork, resilience, and a genuine curiosity.
This opportunity would not have been possible without the support of many individuals and organizations. A special thank you goes to the McCook Board of Education for supporting this unique educational experience and recognizing the value of learning beyond the classroom.
We would also like to thank the McCook Educational Foundation for its generous financial contribution to the trip and Dr. David Harwood of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln for assisting with equipment and resources that enhanced the students’ learning experience.
A great deal of credit also belongs to the students themselves, who invested their own resources to participate in the trip and embraced every opportunity to learn and explore.
Finally, this trip was led through a shared commitment to providing students with meaningful educational experiences, with time, equipment, and resources generously contributed to help make the journey possible.
As the group returned home, students brought back more than photographs and memories. They returned with a deeper understanding of the natural and human history of the region, new friendships, increased confidence, and experiences that will stay with them for years to come.
Trips like this remind us that science and history are more than subjects found in a textbook—they are stories written across landscapes, preserved in places, and best understood through exploration and experience.
