F E A T U R E F A L L 2 0 2 3
STATION FOUR : CONCRETE My students had just studied concrete in the context of their # RomanRoadProject so they were raring to teach this lesson to visitors . Each participant had to wear eye goggles to handle the lime mortar which added to the mystique of this station . Visitors were so excited to take home their very own container of Roman concrete .
STATION FIVE : OAK GALL INK Visitors learned how this ink was made from the tannin of oak galls made by tiny wasps , and then tried out writing ancient Roman cursive with that ink and a simple stylus on papryus paper . Last year , we used squid ink which was much smellier , but oak gall ink has its own iron scent too .
As I wandered around during the event , I was constantly stopped by adults who wanted to know who our students are and where their kids can go to learn this content . One of the best things about this event is that I do nothing during it except take pictures . Students handle all visitor questions and work with young children and adults to complete the activities .
This year , my students and I partnered with the Junior Classical League from the Louisiana School for Math , Science , and the Arts in Natchitoches , LA . After a brief online training with me getting them ready for the event , their wonderful Latin teacher , Dr . Morris Tichenor , drove them to the museum to spend the afternoon with us . They were thrilled to be with us , and from what I ’ ve recently heard , they are going to replicate this event at a sports museum in their own town , and their event stations will center ancient Roman and Greek sporting events !
I believe this event can easily be replicated by classics teachers everywhere . Museums are looking for partners to plan events that draw people in , especially young visitors . Why not classics ?!
P R I M A | 1 8