Youngstown city school third–graders are learning about the history and culture of their hometown through a program led by the YSU Center for Urban and Regional Studies.

And now some suburban school districts are showing interest in the program, too.

"The program has been very successful," said Holly Burnett–Hanley, research associate with the Center for Urban and Regional Studies and one of the creators of the initiative. "It's important for kids to learn about and appreciate the place where they live, and that is the goal of this effort."

The program, called "Getting to Know Youngstown in Third Grade," was implemented three years ago for all third–graders in the Youngstown City Schools as part of the state's social studies standards calling for students to learn about their communities.

The program uses four booklets, breaking down Youngstown's history into four, 50–year segments starting in 1800. The booklets were developed by Matthew Farragher, a Mahoning Valley native, as part of his master's work at Ball State University. Burnett–Hanley and social studies supervisors in the city schools edited and designed the booklets, which focus on all aspects of the city – industry, government, education, recreation, communications, transportation, leadership, etc.

In addition, students take two field trips a year, coordinated by Burnett–Hanley. In the fall, they visit Mill Creek Park and the Butler Institute of American Art and focus on 19^th century history. (About 450 third–graders were at the Butler on Oct. 14, 21, 23, 27 and 28.) And in the spring, they focus on 20^th century history and visit downtown Youngstown, including City Hall, Mahoning County Courthouse, Central Square and the Museum of Industry and Labor.

"We are trying to help them connect the dots of history," Burnett–Hanley said. "It really makes the students feel a sense of ownership, that this is my city and I am part of it. They embrace it."

She said she was at a workshop recently with teachers throughout the county, and many teachers from suburban districts expressed interest in bringing the program to their schools.

The third–grade initiative is one of many Center for Urban and Regional Studies' outreach programs with local schools. The center also leads Earth Force, a community problem–solving program for students at all grade levels, as well as a science program for fifth–graders and architectural scavenger hunts for middle school students.