Creating Educational Resources for Local Classrooms

By Bradley Blake, LCHS Intern, University of Idaho Graduate in Public Administration

As my internship with the Latah County Historical Society comes to a close, I’ve had the opportunity to reflect on how meaningful and enriching this experience has been. Serving as the educational intern, I was responsible for designing lesson plans for elementary, middle, and high school students, with a focus on local history, agriculture, and sustainability in the Moscow area. This allowed me to combine my background in history with my interest in education and challenged me to think creatively about how to make local stories and events accessible and engaging for young learners.

A slide from a lesson plan created by Bradley Blake

Working closely with museum staff - especially curator Kaitlynn Anderson - gave me valuable insights into both the educational and curatorial sides of museum work. Kaitlynn’s feedback was foundational in helping me shape lesson plans that were not only historically accurate but also aligned with best practices in inclusive education. I learned how to adapt materials for students from a variety of backgrounds and learning needs, which strengthened my ability to think critically about lesson structure, vocabulary support, and student engagement.

A slide from a lesson plan created by Bradley Blake

One of the most rewarding parts of the internship was imagining the impact these lessons could have in the classroom. From hands-on activities to primary source analysis, I could picture how students might connect with the history of their own community in meaningful ways. Seeing the local history through an educational lens has reinforced my appreciation for the role museums play in public education and community connection.

A slide from a lesson plan created by Bradley Blake

This experience has reaffirmed my passion for history and helped me consider new directions for the future - possibly in educational content development or museum education. I am deeply thankful for the chance to contribute to the Latah County Historical Society’s mission and for the mentorship and encouragement I received throughout my internship. It has been an invaluable chapter in my academic and professional journey.