Fifth graders at Centre Avenue School presented their ‘Government on Mars’ projects in the school library, each designing a unique world with its own name and form of government.
The project, guided by teachers ToniAnn Donald and Kirsten Scalercio, is a part of the fifth-grade social studies curriculum.
Instead of relying on memorization, students engaged with complex challenges, developing solutions through research and teamwork. This method, known as "learning by doing," helped the students build a deeper understanding of governance while honing skills like communication and analysis.
Earlier in the week, East Rockaway Mayor Gordon Fox visited the students to share his experiences in government. He discussed elections and the daily responsibilities of running a government, providing valuable insights for their projects.
For the assignment, students imagined creating a new society on Mars. The governments ranged from dictatorships and monarchies to democracies, showcasing a variety of ideas. Students presented their Martian societies to their classmates through brochures detailing each world’s features.
The event was attended by principal Calia Kelly, superintendent James DeTommaso and assistant superintendent Sean Murray, who praised the students for their creativity and grasp of governance concepts.