Steve Testa’s walls of learning extend far beyond Nordonia High School to include The Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Steve, a veteran teacher of fifteen years, was one of several teachers instrumental to starting an innovative program titled Valley Voyages. This program is currently being taught through the Social Studies Department at Nordonia High School. Students learn about the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, and the surrounding area through discovery, as they cycle, walk, kayak and participate in other activities such as visiting museums.

The idea for this program came to Steve while he was coaching Cross Country at Nordonia High School eight years ago. While running with the team, it occurred to him that he and his fellow teachers should “make the Cuyahoga Valley our classroom.” Steve has applied for and received several grants to help make this program a reality.

Steve, who teaches Government and Economics, shared, “We are getting them ready for what modern colleges are asking for…independent thinking, making decisions, extra reading assignments, blogging, Twitter and more.” Students are surprised at the amount of academic content in this program. The program has evolved, and will continue to evolve.

Activities for this program, which take place outside the school day, include a scavenger hunt on bicycles each October. This exciting day takes place on the Towpath. The day also includes a ride on Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad to get the students to and from their cycling destination. Students are assigned information or items they need to locate as they cycle along the Towpath. Some years the scavenger hunt becomes competitive. The result of this day is learning combined with a wonderful day of cycling!

Steve and his family live in Ellet. He and his wife have four children ranging from eight to fifteen years of age. They find much to enjoy in the Akron area in addition to cycling on the Towpath such as… the Metropark’s Fall Hiking Spree, concerts at Blossom Music Center, Akron Aeros games and The University of Akron’s events. Living in Ellet, Steve appreciates the ability to cycle or walk to the library and the grocery store near his home.

Steve and his wife, an instructor at The University of Akron, believe “students bring you energy.” At Blimp City Bike & Hike, we believe that your students are very fortunate. We wish you a school year of much learning and many adventures!