Geography Projects Build In-depth Knowledge and Creative Technology Skills

World cultures came to life in Campion’s student center last Sunday during the semi-annual geography project presentations. Students demonstrated skills in a variety of technology and art mediums as well as in-depth knowledge of a country in this semester’s group projects.  Headed by Nate Marin and assisted by art teacher, Jim Hughes, and librarian, Lindsey Santana, geography class is one of Campion’s most unique and innovative courses.
 
At the beginning of the semester, students were divided into groups to complete an in-depth study of their selected country, with the groups representing at least five continents.  Each group researched and learned about their country’s physical features, economy, government, history, culture and more.  On parent-weekend, students performed a traditional dance from each country. For the final projects, they took this information and presented it in a variety of creative ways at booths to students and visitors. 
 
Students demonstrated graphic design skills by creating infographics with basic facts of each country, tri-fold brochures, and interactive maps on google.  They gave visitors a taste of their countries by cooking and serving unique regional desserts.  The physical mobiles were the visual highlights and allowed students to represent their countries in artistic and symbolic ways.  Each mobile included students’ representations of the art, flags, maps, famous people, and religions of the countries. To create each piece of the mobile, they learned how to use a variety of tools for artistic expression including Campion’s newly acquired Glo-forge laser cutter, 3-D printer, as well as the more traditional mediums of clay and paint. 
 
Freshman, Blessing Simamora, studied about Thailand with her group.  “My favorite part of the project was learning to cooperate with my group members in order to build a unique mobile that was eye-catching,” she commented. “I also had fun getting to know my group members.” 
 
At the presentations, students interacted with a group of judges from the school and community who evaluated their work.  The students were able to talk at length about the details of their chosen countries and explain the symbolism behind each piece of their mobiles. “Having to talk with the judges was really nerve-wracking for me. It was an experience that I wasn’t used to, but it helped me gain confidence in speaking,” said Simamora. 
 
As part of the group studying Venezuela, freshman Brisa Maldonado enjoyed getting to know new people in her group as well.  “I liked the project because I got to learn about a country that I didn’t expect to know about and I learned details that not a lot of people know. It was fun because I got put in a group of people that I didn’t know, but I got to know them as we learned about a new country together,” she explained. 
 
Anyone interested in learning a bit more about the world is welcome to attend the presentations at the end of each semester.  It is truly an impressive presentation and learning event! 

Jill Harlow, Communication Director