Explorers Go Old School at CMU Uncategorized by Sonya Bernard-Hollins - April 28, 2024May 28, 20240 MT. PLESEANT (MICH.)- Korie Pritchett Evans raised her hands excitedly when Explorers were asked, “Who wants to wear the dunce hat?” She didn’t know what “dunce” meant, but the pointy hat in the corner looked fun. Once she was told that the dunce hat was for students who were not as bright as the others, she thought it was hilarious. “Teachers could do that?” she asked, laughing in disbelief. Korie Pritchett-Evans laughs as she models an old-fashioned Dunce hat during a visit to the Bohannon Schoolhouse. Copyright Merze Tate Explorers. Dunce hats, chalkboards, and old-fashioned school games were the highlights of an Explorer visit to Central Michigan University. The Spring Mystery Trip was an opportunity for students to learn what it was like to be educated in the past while exploring a possible college for their future. Kendall and Kennedy Baxter, and Madison Moore have fun writing with chalk on an old-fashioned chalkboard. Copyright Merze Tate Explorers. During the college visit, Explorers received a guided tour through time by Rebecca Petrone and Jay Martin of CMU’s Museum Studies Program. The team provided an inactive history lesson on what life may have been like for Merze Tate during her elementary school years. In addition, Explorers learned about Emma Norman Todd, another history-making woman of CMU, and her connection to Merze Tate. As Rebecca Petrone explains the rules, Kendall Baxter, Naya Smith, and Kaylee Hampton play an old-fashioned school game. Copyright Merze Tate Explorers Students also viewed exhibits in the CMU museum. One in particular featured a display of red dresses. It led to more questions. “I see red dresses all around the campus. What does that mean?” asked Nariyah Reynolds. Martin shared that the exhibit was in commemoration of the many Indigenous women in the area who were missing due to sex trafficking. Martin said the students who created the exhibit also took the concept throughout campus to allow others to grasp the number of women who have disappeared without a trace. According to Martin, area tribal law enforcement is not as committed to providing the resources to look for these young women on their reservations. The exhibit was an opportunity to bring awareness to the issue. Nariyah Reynolds listens as Jay Martin shares the history of the Red Dress exhibit at CMU’s museum. Copyright Merze Tate Explorers Look for student stories of this adventure in our upcoming summer edition of Girls Can! Magazine.
