Edgewood Middle School (EMS) is launching a school-wide project-based learning (PBL) unit inspired by the book “The Boys in the Boat” by Daniel James Brown, which recounts the University of Washington’s rowing team’s journey to the 1936 Berlin Olympics. This book, which emphasizes resilience, determination, and teamwork, will form the basis of an interdisciplinary curriculum encompassing history, literature, science, and physical education.
The climax of this educational experience will be a boat race, where students and staff will apply engineering and design principles to build and race their own boats. This event, set to take place on May 17 at the Warsaw Community High School pool, will be open to the community and aims to demonstrate the students’ learned values of perseverance and teamwork. EMS Principal JoElla Hauselman believes that the narrative of “The Boys in the Boat” serves as a potent metaphor for essential life skills and hopes this initiative will inspire students to achieve greatness through collaboration.