04-12-2008 11:55:22

Erskine Students share the results of their self-directed study

The Erskine Academy students in Marcia Tyrol’s class on Integrated Humanities has just completed 15 weeks of self-directed studies in which each student selected his/her own subject for extensive research. On March 6 the students had their research project on display as parents, teachers and other students came to view the results of their work.
     Samantha Isbell of Vassalboro studied about Romania, the history of which goes back to the Roman Empire, 300 BC, and she learned that the country is not as rural or poor as she had thought. Samantha has studied Italian, Spanish and German and she will be visiting Germany in April with her German class. Some day she hopes to visit Romania.
     Several students had selected a musician or a specific type of music for their research. Kayla Fraser of Windsor obtained background information on Kurt Cobain who died in 1989 but whose grunge/rock/pop music is still in demand. Kayla acquired most of her photos and material from the internet. Sage Blaschke of Vassalboro researched the history of the Grateful Dead, although he never heard them in person. He learned that the real leader of
the group was Ron McKernan whose nickname was Pig Pen. Jennifer Dwelley of Vassalboro studied the lives and music of the Beatles. She had a CD of their music playing at her exhibition booth.
     Kristin Cook of China studied the harmful effects of tobacco. She had charts and statistics to back up her claim that the use of tobacco in any form is hazardous to one’s health. She said her friends who smoke did not want to learn more about her research. She was pleased that her father, after 20 years of smoking, “had stopped cold turkey.”
     Meg Kruithoff of Winslow did a study about pancakes which she said were found on the menu in Europe as early as 1430. Each country was known for its own specialty of pancakes. To illustrate the allure of pancakes she was preparing some on a hot grill for the visitors at her display. Her favorite? Blueberry pancakes.
     The research project for Heather Strout of China was the history of horse racing. Her interest in horses began when she worked at the Bartlett Stables of Windsor and now she owns two horses, one of which she rides in barrel racing. Also, she has worked as a groomer in the stables at the Windsor Fair. One interesting fact she learned is that horse racing goes back to the Romans.
     Maeghan Purdy of China selected, as her research, a study of the clothing made and worn in India. Modeling an Indian Salwar Kameez, she explained that it was often worn by women working in offices. She said it was very comfortable and was made of material known as georgette.
     Annie Gagnon of Jefferson researched a study of comparative religions. She learned that a common thread running through all religions was the focus on a higher power and had similar creation stories. She said her study has helped her understand people with a religion different from her own which is Christian. She wants to become a forensic psychiatrist and is planning to go to Suffolk University in Boston. She believes that people with moral values are less likely to exhibit criminal behavior.
     The teacher, Marcia Tyrol, has been teaching at Erskine since 1989, but this is the first time she has conducted a class for self-directed study. She has been impressed by how the students have passionately sought out information in their research and she has seen the students “teach each other about their specific findings.” I could see that Tyrol was taking pride in her students who in turn were taking delight in sharing with others what they had learned in their research.