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The 9/11 Memorial and Museum in Lower Manhattan will now offer free field trips to New Jersey schools as part of a new initiative. This program, a collaboration between the State of New Jersey, the Wilf Family Foundations, and the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, aims to educate students from grades three through twelve about the events and impact of September 11, 2001.
The initiative includes both in-person and virtual field trips, allowing students to engage with age-appropriate lessons on the historical significance of 9/11, the lives lost, and the acts of heroism that followed. According to Lakewood Alerts, the program is part of a broader effort to reach 20 million students by the 25th anniversary of the attacks in 2026.
New Jersey joins New York and Connecticut in providing free access to the museum for students, with support from additional partners like the Gary Sinise Foundation and the New York City Council. The Wilf Family Foundations are also funding the development of new educational materials to enhance the experience for visiting students.
Governor Murphy expects this initiative to bring an additional 7,500 students to the museum by next fall. The program is designed to bridge the gap for students born after 9/11, helping them understand the tragedy beyond what is taught in textbooks. More information about booking these field trips can be found on the museum's website.