At Isaac E. Young Middle School, students in Rosa Posnick’s class recently stepped into the shoes of history’s greatest innovators. From renowned scientists and physicists to iconic artists, students researched influential Italian figures to examine how their contributions shaped the modern world.
“Students in the advanced classes completed and presented their research projects in Italian, practicing their Italian language skills while also taking a deeper dive into Italian history,” said Posnick. “Students in the Culture and Language class completed their projects in English, learning more about Italy’s rich history and traditions.”
The project challenged students to investigate early lives, historical contexts, breakthroughs, and notable anecdotes. To bring their findings to life, each student designed a digital slide presentation and a research poster, sharpening both their public speaking skills and visual communication skills.
“I really enjoyed working on this project and learning about Enrico Fermi's life and career as a scientist,” said Sienna L., a sixth grader in the Culture and Language class. “It was fascinating to explore his key contributions, including his work on the nuclear reactor. Overall, I learned a great deal from this assignment.”
Eighth grader Miandra G. is in the Italian 2 advanced class. “I really enjoyed the project. It was very helpful in expanding my Italian writing and speaking skills, especially by teaching me how to talk about past events rather than just focusing on the present tense.”
Viva L’Italia!