The Fedcap School held its annual Black History Month celebration on March 3rd. Each homeroom, usually about eight students, chose a topic related to BHM and created a multimedia art project that was then presented to the entire school.
“The entries this year were amazing,” said Luanne Macri, The Fedcap School’s Director. One group picked for a topic the Newark riots of 1965. The students conducted extensive research on the events leading up to and after the riots, and led a school-wide discussion about how they changed the economic life of the city, and are still impacting it today as a result of companies that closed and neighborhoods that were never fully rebuilt. The group created a board with pictures, text and quotes.
Another project looked at African American women scientists and inventors, who found solutions to some of society’s most difficult challenges. The students connected the work of these dynamic women to their own STEM activities. One mixed media presentation featured the words that have inspired The Fedcap School’s entire student body—”Average will not be my legacy.”
“I am extremely proud of our students at The Fedcap School,” said Christine McMahon, President and CEO of The Fedcap Group. “Their work for this exciting Black History Month project is so creative and thoughtful, and their messages so powerful and uplifting. Clearly, ‘average’ is not the legacy of these bright and promising young people. I congratulate them on their success, and offer heartfelt thanks to Luanne and her team for providing such great leadership.”
The annual exercise is a competition among teams, with two prizes awarded. The criteria for the presentations were given in advance as a rubric to see if they met objectives. Each project had to have a title with an essential question—such as “How dd the Newark Riots of 1965 effect the economy of Newark then and now?” The project had to be fully researched, and could be made using any media as long as the effort was collaborative. Each student was required to explain his or her part.
“The students were so proud of their projects,” Luanne said. “The projects have great value in helping students build their confidence, hone their speaking skills, develop coping skills, and bond with their peers in a highly collaborative way. They really knew their subject matter, and it was very meaningful for them.”
While students at The Fedcap School face behavioral challenges, many are brilliant and can accomplish great things given the right opportunity and environment. “This project shows them what they can accomplish when they are not encumbered by behavioral triggers and rejection,” Luanne said.
View the photos of some of the students with their projects below.
