In the Classroom: “History’s Mysteries”
Throughout the year, we take a closer look at interesting studies that are underway in the IMS classrooms. Recently, we visited Mr. Vorenberg’s elective, where students are getting a first-hand look at IMS history.
History Department Chair, Tom Vorenberg, is running a new X-Block elective this year, called “History Geeks.” This elective has a two-pronged challenge. The first prong has been focused on teaching our school community about the history of the school over the last 100 years. They call it “History’s Mysteries.” For this project, the students are poring through the IMS archives and combing the campus to locate IMS artifacts that tell a story about the school’s past. For example, they studied the old bus engine on our mountain, then located and organized corresponding photographs and articles and then shared their findings during morning assembly — the engine was once used to operate the school rope tow for skiing on the mountain. Students shared this and more of their “History’s Mysteries” in the Alumni Centennial Exhibit during Centennial Weekend. As they uncover more interesting history, they will continue to share their findings with the rest of the school.
The second prong of the History Geeks’ activities this year is to work with students from eight other area schools to explore events and individuals connected to the local property of Troutbeck. In the first decades of the Twentieth Century some of the critical thought leaders in politics, civil rights, and arts walked the grounds of Troutbeck. The second annual Troutbeck Symposium will be in late April and will showcase projects produced by groups of students from area independent and public schools, including projects reflecting the research of this IMS group. Last year’s IMS participants were widely praised by the scholars who were there to review students’ work and add their own perspectives about the subjects explored throughout the 2021-2022 school year.
There is a good deal of energy and excitement about all the activities for our young historians this centennial year!