Cook County students share highlights of spring break Washington D.C. trip

Over spring break, 25 students from Cook County traveled to Washington, D.C., to tour historical landmarks and learn about the U.S. government and democracy. The 25 students included 7th, 8th, and 9th-graders. 

Melanie Olsen, the middle school social studies teacher at Cook County Schools ISD 166 and one of the trip’s organizers, collaborated with a travel company that specializes in designing Washington, D.C., field trips with a curriculum-focused approach. Leading up to the trip, the students held fundraisers and worked at the thrift store Odds & Endz in Grand Marais to help cover the trip costs.

The Washington D.C. trip included a tour of the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, Capitol Hill, and other historical sites. It also provided an opportunity for the students to speak with legislators about issues they believe are important.

Listen to an audio piece below featuring a handful of Cook County students who traveled to Washington, D.C., sharing their favorite moments and highlights of the trip in March. 

Below are photos from Chaperon Melanie Olsen of the trip:

Kalli Hawkins May 29, 2025