"What would hurt more, smallpox or the Black Plague?"

This question may sound like it's from out of left field to some, but for a student in Bradi Ross' History 7 class, it was something to be seriously pondered. That's because he and all of his classmates had been tasked with a unique assignment: research, write, and record a podcast related to the Age of Exploration.

Ms. Ross and Mrs. Wilkins have been working with their students on the process of research all year long, stressing the importance of evaluating and citing multiple sources for projects. The historians have been urged to answer big questions in the course of their work, like "Why does this topic matter?" and "How does this connect to the Age of Exploration?" Student-picked topics included the triangle trade, Columbus and Native Americans, and Joan of Arc, among many others. 

Once students finished their initial research and scripted drafts of their podcasts, it was off to the recording studio! With the help of Middle School Technology Coordinator Jennifer Futrell, the podcasters (like Amelia U. '22, pictured above) used GarageBand (a music creation app from Apple) to lay down their tracks.

After Ms. Ross and Mrs. Wilkins have listened to and evaluated each of the podcasts, the recordings will be shared with parents. Who knew you could learn so much about Henry the VIII just by putting on your headphones?

 (Photo Credit: Bradi Ross)