Feature
The story of us:
What is past
is prologue
Centennial project creates unique student opportunities
Elms original entrance
by Kathleen A. Taylor ’73
A
team of Ninth Graders and Seniors are gathered together on an early September afternoon for a lively discussion with Sr. Maura as they search to find the history of the Italian Mother Mary that sits behind glass in the corner of the commons. With the initial nuggets of information they have gleaned, they move on to start a deep dive into the Elms archives for more. Meanwhile, another group made up of Eleventh and Eighth Graders is curious about the life of the late Sr. Evangeline, a talented artist whose sculptures dot the Elms campus. A third team of students has decided they want to understand the history of the ballet studio, how it came to be and the background of the alumna, Suzanne Ames Landry ’49, whose name graces the studio’s walls. And yet another team of girls is already in investigative mode, exploring the Elms history of athletics and determined to uncover the facts (a football team in the late 1930s, really?). These groups represent the entire student body from Grades Six through Twelve who are a part of an innovative research project propelling 21st century students backwards through the years, beginning with the school’s 1923 formation and leading up to its centennial celebration on October 14, 2023. One of the primary outcomes of their project will be a walking tour of the Elms campus that uses augmented reality to create an historical backdrop at specific points along the way.
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ELMS MAG A ZINE
Market street side before addition
This initiative is a powerful example of “project-based learning (PBL).” PBL is an interdisciplinary learning process using hands-on, student-driven and collaborative work. Students learn by actively engaging in real-world and personally meaningful projects. The first 100 years in the school’s history present the perfect opportunity for Elms students to develop a deeper understanding of the strong connections to the past, not only with today, but with the future. Mathematics teacher Elaine Dria, science teacher Holly Stoneberg and history teachers Walt Jacoby and Adam Anzelc are acting as faculty guides for the project. As Ms. Dria explained, “I hope the students will learn the roots of our school and some of the reasons behind
w w w. t h e e l m s . o r g
our traditions, so they can create a lasting living history that others can add to and enjoy either online or in person.” An exciting aspect of the project is a ground-breaking collaboration with an interdisciplinary team from Kent State University. Over the course of the project, students will be exposed to different technologies and tools and will design and develop digital experiences supporting the Centennial Project. KSU professors Dr. Rick Ferdig and Dr. Enrico Gandolfi, along with graduate students in their capstone program, have already provided a prototype of two historical tour “hotspots” for the Elms teachers to learn and share as an example for the students. One of the major results will be the on-campus augmented walking tour highlighting points of interest and
