Students learn about cultural history and democracy: Seacoast education news
Rochester fourth-graders learn about cultural history at Great Bay Discovery Center
ROCHESTER — Superintendent Kyle Repucci said fourth-graders from the East Rochester and Nancy Loud Elementary schools visited the Great Bay Discovery Center earlier this month for hands-on lessons about local cultural history.
Located in the Great Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve in Greenland, the Great Bay Discovery Center offers children and adults hands-on opportunities to learn about nature and the cultural history of the region.
Fourth-graders from the East Rochester and Nancy Loud Elementary Schools were able to visit the center on a crisp, beautiful day on Oct. 11, and participated in exercises at five stations at the center as part of an interactive fall cultural history program that included lessons that fit Social Studies curriculum standards for grades 2 to 5.
At the Bounty of the Bay station, students learned about the different tools that were used throughout history to harvest resources from the bay, including for trapping, waterfowling, ice fishing and shellfishing.
The Trail of the Arrowhead station included a trail walk where students learned about the history of the Abenaki and Pennacook Nations, and explored how Native Americans survived and lived off the land.
The Tom Wiggin station told the story of Wiggin and his father, who farmed hay off the bay. Wiggin is a fictional character who is based on a real family that lived on the Great Bay in the 1800s when farmers cut salt marsh hay to feed livestock.
The Great Bay Country Store station taught students about gundalow ships that carried goods from town to town before there were tractor trailers and more modern means of transportation, and how products like cloth, flour, smoked fish and sugar were distributed to country stores for purchase or trade. Students were able to make purchases from the country store as well.
Lastly, students got to experience cracking open acorns and breaking them down to use for cooking food.
"Our students had a great time learning about the culture and history of the region, and trying out the tools and food from history," said fourth-grade teacher Dan Saucier.
"I would like to express my gratitude to the New Hampshire Charitable Fund, which provided a grant for Stafford County Schools which helped us fund this trip," said Superintendent Repucci. "Our students were able to have fun while learning key parts of their Social Studies curriculum, and we are thankful for the support."
To learn more about the Great Bay Discovery Center at the Great Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, visit: https://greatbay.org/.
R.W. Creteau Regional Technology Center students experience PNSY STEM demonstrations
ROCHESTER — Superintendent Kyle Repucci and Director of Career Technology Education Michele Halligan-Foley announced that students from the R.W. Creteau Technology Center got a hands-on look at 24 different types of careers and technology currently available at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard.
On Tuesday, Oct. 25, the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard's STEM Engagement Trailer visited the R.W. Creteau Regional Technology Center to provide students with a pop-up style event that provided demonstrations of 24 types of cutting-edge technology and skills that are used in production shops at the shipyard.
Each grade level at the school was assigned a block of time during the school day to participate in the different stations, giving students a chance to check out two dozen different areas that a potential career path could lead them.
Demonstrations included air conditioning and refrigeration, painting and abrasive blasting, crane maintenance, pipefitting, ironworking, welding, machining, machinery maintenance, sheet metal maintenance, electronics, rigging, and more.
"Spaulding High School is committed to exposing students to a variety of pathways and our partnership with the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard allows students to explore opportunities for direct entry into the workforce after high school," said Lauren Jerr, Extended Learning Opportunities Coordinator at Spaulding High School. "This event is important because students learn firsthand from those in the field what skills are needed now and in the future."
"I love it when our students are exposed to real-world problems, situations, and opportunities through our curriculum," said Superintendent Repucci. "Having the Shipyard visit and share potential career opportunities with our students is priceless, and I am so happy we have such a strong partnership with the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard."
The mission of the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard STEM Outreach Program is to inspire, engage, and educate students in grades K-12 in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and educate students about Navy STEM careers. Shipyard employees serve as volunteers in this program to bring a variety of hands-on activities into our communities throughout Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts. To learn more, visit navsea.navy.mil.
Oyster River fifth-graders to vote in NH Kid Governor election
DURHAM – Superintendent James Morse and Principal Jay Richard have announced that Oyster River Middle School fifth-grade students are learning the principles of democracy and free elections, and will vote in the statewide NH Kid Governor election on Thursday, Nov. 10.
Fifth-grade teachers embedded lessons from the NH Kid Governor program into the curriculum, imparting information about the state’s three branches of government, the role of the governor, how to research issues and develop campaign platforms, and how to vote and hold elections.
ORMS students met virtually with First Spouse Valerie Sununu and 2021 NH Kid Governor Charlotte Cotti and asked questions about voting and the role of the First Spouse.
"It is a great privilege and responsibility for me to do whatever I can to support programs like NH Kid Governor and civics education in general. The more we can teach our youngest citizens about how our republic works and how to participate in a representative democracy the more we can empower them to take care of our country, our voices and our freedom,” First Spouse Sununu said. “My absolute favorite part is taking open-ended questions from the students -- I love how the kids from ORCSD wanted to know what the roles and responsibilities of a First Spouse are, which is one of the most flexible and open-ended positions in civic leadership. I like how they learned that rather than 'First Lady' they can say 'First Spouse' to be more inclusive of anyone who takes this position."
Fifth-graders from across New Hampshire run for Kid Governor, developing their campaign platform and recording a video.
Fifth-grade teacher Diana Pelletier coordinated with the Town of Durham, arranging a visit by Town Clerk Lorrie Pitt and Deputy Town Clerk Rachel Deane. Pitt and Deane explained their duties and registered students to vote on Nov. 10. Each student received a voter card.
“It was so wonderful getting to know the students and answering their many questions,” Pitt said. “We are very excited to be part of, and assist with, the Kid Governor election.”
On Nov. 10, ORMS students will walk to Durham Town Hall and cast their ballot for one of seven NH Kid Governor candidates. Voting will take place from 12 to 2 p.m.
Students will present their voter card to election supervisors, who will check them in and hand them a ballot. Students will vote in actual voting booths and place their filled-in ballot in Durham's wooden ballot box, which dates to 1916.
"What a great opportunity for our students to learn about the process of government,” Superintendent Morse said. “Good citizenship is vital to our democracy, and these students will carry these important lessons their entire lives."
Superintendent Morse and Principal Richard wish to thank the NH Kid Governor organization and the Town of Durham for their guidance and support.
This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Students learn about cultural history and democracy: Seacoast education news
