1) Hi Nada, can you tell us what you've been up to since graduating from THINK Global School in 2022? Since graduating in 2022, I've been pursuing a passion I found while at TGS, sustainability, and I am currently majoring in engineering in renewable energy systems at Al Akhawayn University, in Ifrane, Morocco. But there is way more than that! I've had a chance also to explore the world of...
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Global Studies teacher Andrew McLean sent the students on a scavenger hunt around Berlin, Germany this weekend. Though they were asked to visit points of interest like famous synagogues and the Pergamon museum, students were encouraged to discover new locations and have personal experiences with their new host city. Equipped with their iPhones, they documented each unique adventures to share with their peers and reflect afterward.
The following are some examples of the scavenger hunt destinations and tasks:
Oranienburger Straße Synagogue: Berlin’s famously reformed (liberal) synagogue with a female Rabbi. Task: There are two plaques on the synagogue. Take a photo of the southern one and translate into English. 10pts
Clärchens Ballhaus: An old ballhouse that predates the Weimar era, the main room boasts regular and lively swing, tango, and salsa dance nights for the locals. Task: Sneak into the top room up the staircase, and to the left there are still bullet holes recalling the Battle of Berlin. Take a pic of the bullet holes. 5pts
Kunsthaus Tacheles: Former department store, abandoned and then taken over by artists after the fall of the Berlin Wall. It’s still an art center/squat today. Task: Using Hipstamatic to take the most hipster photo you can of this very hipster hangout. You will be marked on how cool you are, but don’t be too cool. That is so unhipster. 20pts
Here were some of the student responses to the day-long exploration:
I found bizarre sculptures, such as an elephant made out of electrical tape in a tree and weird paintings everywhere. It’s like all the artists have created their own surreal world.
Cameron, Class of 2014
After dinner, we walked back to the hotel, and the night just looked and felt so magical. We walked by the Brandenburg Gate, and it was unbelievably beautiful. As we were walking around town, we just couldn’t stop smiling. We were all exploding with happiness. It was a wonderful night.
Emma, Class of 2014
My highlight was finding this 1945 film camera at a marketplace near the Pergamon Museum. It is still in working order, and I’m excited to try it out!
Hannah, Class of 2015
Based on the reactions from the students and staff, this is bound to be a recurring excursion around the TGS host cities.
Featured image by Hannah C.