10th Graders Hold Philosophy Coffee House

This week one of the front lawn tents became a Philosophy Coffee House for 10th grade students. Under the tutelage of history teacher Melissa Winder, English teacher Robert Schuster and science teachers Casey Reed and Alex Siragy, 10th graders have been considering the big question "What is the Cost of Convenience?" For their end-of-semester project, each student took on the assigned persona of a renowned philosopher, writer, scientist, inventor, industrialist, etc. from the Scientific Revolution, Enlightenment or Industrial Revolution periods - those represented included Newton, Voltaire, HG Wells, Locke, Rousseau, Tesla, Hobbs, Jefferson, Bismarck, and so many more. Students became experts on their person's ideas and traits and created topic outlines to introduce themselves and to talk as their character would about the cost of convenience. The 'coffeehouse' began with plenty of hot beverages and sweet treats, with teachers serving as waiters and baristas. Then the tent evolved into The Philosophy Coffee House. Students broke into seven groups of five, then sat in discussions as their personas for thirty minutes; they did this twice in different groups. It proved for stimulating conversations all around and students really showed off their knowledge. Well done, 10th grade!