Titanic 'sinks' in Casey Library for the 10th year

"Captain Smith," played by Casey Middle School Guidance Counselor William Stewart, quizzes eighth-grader Maggie Barrett on the history of the Titanic on Feb. 1 at the school. Maggie, portraying a second-class citizen, was trying to save herself from the sinking ship by answering questions correctly. Photo by John Rusac Purchase photos at www.BeeNews.com

The Titanic set sail from the Casey Middle School Library on Feb. 1. After researching the tragedy and the time period, more than 200 eighth-grade students dressed as 1912 characters who were actually aboard the ill-fated ship and attempt to get their characters to safety before Titanic "sinks." This was the 10th anniversary of the Titanic re-enactment at Casey.

What began as an activity to help students understand the history behind the 1997 blockbuster movie has become a powerful exercise in character education and decision making. Conducted in the context of a living board game, students progress from the bottom of the ship to the promenade deck based on their answers to questions about the Titanic asked by the ship's officers - played by teachers and administrators.

They must be prepared to answer questions about the ship, the disaster, the time period, and the class system that existed in British and American societies at the beginning of the 20th century. Questions reflect all areas of the curriculum, including social studies and foreign language. True to history, there were only enough lifeboats for half of the students and were not filled to capacity.