Photo by Chelsea Martin
Resource students from Kyrene del Sureño Elementary School presented their
semester project to a welcoming, supportive crowd, including the students’ families, a contingent of fellow students and special guests, including district superintendent Dr. David Schauer; principal Dr. Marianne Lescher, who developed the project; and district science coordinator Monica Crowder. The students’ assignment required them to act as make-believe civil engineers sent by a likewise imaginary World Health Organization to create a sustainable water system in the very real African country of Djibouti. The students were divided into small groups, each charged with relating its water and waste treatment plans to the country’s ‘president,’ a role played by Schauer. All who attended the exercise agreed it laid the framework for continuing a worthwhile concept of interactive education.