2022-2023 I n The study:of
I n The study of
Global Citizenship and Service Learning
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group of 14 Whitfield students and two faculty chaperones, Cipriano Casado and Rachel Gassner, engaged in an international servicelearning and language immersion trip to Panama, March 13 – 21, 2023.
The video game design project complements the traditional final exam review sheets, online vocabulary drills, and peer-topeer practice conversations in the target language.
Panama Oeste, where they were in charge of a construction project at La Candelaria Preschool. The group worked for five days alongside
Student Reflections I have been outside the country before but only as a tourist at hotels and resorts, so when I looked at the itinerary for this trip it quickly caught my attention. This trip gave me the chance to be immersed in a different culture while eating and living with the people there. I also got to strengthen my Spanish-speaking skills, which was a huge plus and only made me want to continue my education with the language. My time in Panama was truly one of the best decisions I made in my life, and I will never forget the thousands of memories I created. It was genuinely life-changing and something I recommend to anyone who has the opportunity. -Alexis Albovias ’24 My favorite memory from Panama was when I got to spend time with the kids of La Candelaria; Raul (3), Elaina (11), Cristian (12), and so many more. -Sophie Beracha ’24 My favorite memory from the Panama trip was doing Zumba in the park. On the first night in Panama City, we went to a park to explore but when we got there, there was this large pavilion where all these people were doing Zumba. We were joking about all of us going, and then Sr. Casaso and Sra. Gassner decided that we should. We spent the next couple of hours dancing with all the people. It was incredible. Afterwards, Sr. Casado was so impressed with us that he decided to get us paletas, popsicles. They were very refreshing and a perfect ending to a perfect night out. -Grace Cooperstein ’25
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tudents in Sara Paciorek’s French, Latin, and Introduction to Language courses created unique video games in their target language as a creative tool for final exam review and to develop the 21st-century skill of coding. Students followed a set of requirements and used Scratch, or another programming language of their choice, to create their games.
The trip was organized through Squads Abroad, the high school division of Global Brigades, an international development organization that mobilizes university and high school students into ’Squads’ that work collaboratively with community leaders to improve health, education, and economic outcomes in under-resourced communities. Whitfield’s Squad traveled to La Candelaria, a small community of 753 people in the province of
World Languages Video Game Design Project
local members of the community to mix cement, assemble frames, and pour the concrete for a sidewalk that connected the school building with another structure. They also painted the school’s bathroom and presented a dental hygiene workshop at the school. In addition to working extremely hard, Whitfield students enjoyed a variety of cultural learning activities and field trips including making Panamanian food, a zip line tour, and an afternoon at a local beach. To be considered for the trip, students were required to complete an application process and were vetted for their Spanish language skills, passion for service, and ability to be comfortable being uncomfortable. “Our kids knew going in that the work was going to be very physically demanding and the conditions challenging,” said Cipriano Casado. “The work we did in just five days is something that the people of La Candelaria will use and remember us for—it transformed their way of living. Our students made a significant impact on this rural community, and the community made a significant impact on all of us.“
“As a project-based teacher, I love to integrate other modes of assessment into my language classes, so creating video games in another language is a fun way to end the school year,” said Mrs. Paciorek. “This culminating project gives students the opportunity to be creative, practice their target language in preparation for the final exam, and to develop an important 21st-century skill. The best part is seeing the students who quickly grasp coding become leaders and help their peers problem solve. It was also pretty neat to tell my middle school students how much the high school students enjoyed playing their games!”
Sr. Casado was also impressed with Whitfield students’ language skills. “The organization hired two young translators who were with us for the entire trip, but we never used them,” he said. “Our kids exceeded our expectations with their language skills—they were amazing! They not only listened and understood what they were supposed to be doing, but they also communicated with the locals.“ Student participants included Alexis Albovias ’24, Sophie Beracha ’24, Annika Capellupo ’24, Grace Cooperstein ’25, Anna Gau ’24, Noah Epstein ’25, Dawn Foster ’25, Daphne Hull ’24 Taryn Jones ’24, Katie Kuplent ’24, Oliver Niemann ’24, Cohen Panneri ’24, Kate Rose ’25, and Aanya Siddiqui ’24. On their last day in La Candelaria,
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“As a project-based teacher, I love to integrate other modes of assessment into my language classes, so creating video games in another language is a fun way to end the school year.,” -Mrs. Paciorek, world language faculty
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us. Leaving the school that day was incredibly emotional.”
the Whitfield Squad enjoyed a special meal. “One of the community’s matriarchs made arroz con pollo (chicken and rice) for us,” shared Sra. Gassner. “It took her over three hours to prepare and cook it over an open fire. It was the most amazing dish and our favorite meal of the week. After we finished eating, she read a thank you note to
“I think a trip like this is extremely important because the students can see the direct impact that their work and time had on the community, “ Gassner continued. “They broaden their perspectives and develop a sense of global citizenship. In just a short amount of time, our kids made authentic connections with the kids and the adults in La Candelaria—that human connection is just so powerful.”
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