From Toothpicks to Timelessness: Students Showcase Greco-Roman Legacies

Seventh graders in Katie Bauer’s social studies class at Ridge Junior School recently embarked on an educational journey with their Greco-Roman Museum Artifacts Project. The assignment challenged students to analyze the enduring impact of Greek and Roman culture on later civilizations, including the world today. By stepping into the shoes of museum curators, students selected one Greek and one Roman legacy to create 3-D visual representations, which they showcased in a classroom museum.  

Seventh grader Mahmoud Farhan dedicated nine hours over two days to construct a detailed model of the Roman Colosseum using approximately 450 toothpicks. He also crafted a Greek column, which was slightly less complicated, taking him about two hours and 70-80 toothpicks to complete.

When asked why he chose the Colosseum, Farhan explained, "I wanted to put a lot of effort into this. It's such a great historical structure. I learned the history behind it.” As for the Colosseum’s impact on the world today, Mahmoud said, “It relates now because it's such a great piece of architecture that we can't recreate it even today. They made it with their hands, no equipment." His favorite part of the project was "seeing how it turned out because I put so much time and effort. I was really happy to see my teacher be so excited about something I made."

The project not only allows students to delve into the rich histories of Greece and Rome but also encourages them to appreciate the lasting legacies these ancient civilizations have left on our modern world. Through hands-on learning and creative expression, Ridge Junior School students gain a deeper understanding of the cultural and architectural marvels that continue to influence us today.

Bauer has been assigning this project for about 10 years. While learning about the legacies, Bauer tells her students to find something that piques their interest that they can use for the final project. “It helps (the students) see the impact today and feel like they can show what they’ve learned in a fun, creative way,” she said. The creative aspect also encourages them to dig deeper to extend their understanding, as opposed to memorization and parroting what they’ve learned.

In addition to the Colosseum, other projects included Roman helmets, Greek astronomy, government buildings and mosaics. One student created a mosaic firefighter, not only demonstrating the art, but also stoicism, an ancient Greek philosophical system that identifies the four virtues of life: wisdom, courage, temperance and justice.

“I want (the students) to take away an understanding of just how much they see in their lives today that has come from the ancient world,” said Bauer, who tries to focus on the word “honor” when teaching this unit. “The things they see have been invented at some point - and sometimes it goes back thousands of years. I hope they recognize they, too, can leave their own lasting legacy.”