They walked like Egyptians

Second and third graders in the Social Studies club at Davidson Avenue Elementary School in Lynbrook got to experience what life was like for the youngest Egyptian pharaoh in history, and what splendors and riches came with being king. On April 22, 22 Davidson Avenue students were invited to a sneak preview of the exhibit, "Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs" at the Discovery Times Square Exposition in Manhattan.

The students, who voluntarily joined the Social Studies club, were awarded their spot at the student preview day based on their entrance into a contest held by the expo — a top five list of things students would do if they were crowned pharaoh for a day. The entries were judged on their creativity and originality, and Davidson Avenue's winning submission included a collection of handmade artifacts.

"They were thrilled," said third-grade teacher and Social Studies club advisor Pat Fisher about winning the contest. "Everyone has been jumping out of their skin for weeks!"

Fisher, who said the students had been working on a Egyptian history unit in school since October, thinks the kids learned some valuable lessons from the exhibit, and got to face some fears as well. "There was definitely a fear factor about seeing mummies!" she said.

Students toured the "Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs," exhibit, which displayed an extensive collection of more than 130 artifacts from the tomb of King Tut and other Valley of the Kings tombs. Third-grader Nelson Chow said he joined the Social Studies club because he finds history interesting, and was excited to see the treasures of the youngest pharaoh in Egyptian history. "The replica mummy looked like King Tut," Chow said. "He was only 9 when he became king."

Jason Garcia, 8, agreed with Chow that the exhibit was fascinating. "I loved the little gold statues," Garcia said of the golden sarcophagi used to house Tut's organs. "It was so interesting."

Third-grader Jeremiah Coles said he joined the Social Studies club because he wanted to learn more about history, and Thursday's trip added to his interest of historical events. "I just wanted to know about him and what his body may have looked like," Coles said of the King Tut exhibit.

The exhibit will be on view at the Discovery Times Square Exposition from April 23 through January 2, 2011. New York is the final stop on the exhibition's tour and the last chance for US audiences to see these treasures before they return to Egypt.

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