Mendham, Chester Students Mark America 250 With Hands-On History

MENDHAM TOWNSHIP, NJ — Eighth-graders from three Morris County middle schools recently traded traditional classroom lessons for escape rooms and other interactive activities tied to America's 250th anniversary.

Students from Mendham Township Middle School, Black River Middle School and Mountain View Middle School gathered at Mendham Township Middle School for an America 250 educational program focused on history, literature and the American Revolution.

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Students from the three schools were mixed into groups and rotated through three activities during the program.

Among the activities was a visit from acclaimed author Laurie Halse Anderson, along with Revolutionary War-themed escape rooms facilitated by Mendham Township Middle School eighth-grade teachers.

The escape rooms challenged students to apply their knowledge while working together to solve problems, according to the district.

"This is a wonderful opportunity for our students to experience history in ways that extend far beyond the traditional classroom," Mendham Township School District Superintendent Dr. Sal Constantino said.

Constantino said bringing students from the three schools together also gave them a chance to collaborate with peers from neighboring communities while learning more about the history that shaped the country.

The event was part of programming surrounding America 250, the nationwide commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776.

District officials said the activities were intended to connect classroom lessons with history and literature while giving students a more hands-on learning experience.