Miguel Gonzalez’s High Tech Social Studies Class Examines Ancient Cultures and Architecture by Cathryn Pace

(North Bergen—October 20, 2015) For the past month, High Tech Social Studies instructor Miguel Gonzalez introduced his students to ancient cultures and architecture, from which they constructed projects that incorporated their knowledge and creativity, announced Dr. Joseph Giammarella, Principal of High Tech. 
Gonzalez screened Graham Hancock’s documentary, Quest for the Lost Civilization, for his students.  From this documentary, students learned about Hancock’s anthropological and archeological theories, from which Gonzalez charged his class with the project of recreating the ancient monuments that Graham had visited.
To replicate Ancient Egyptian architecture, students recreated the Temple of Osiris, the Great Giza Pyramids, the Step Pyramid of Djoser, and, probably the most famous monument of all, the Great Sphinx.
Students also visited the United Kingdom and France, by way of Stonehenge, the Callanish Stones, the Uffington White Horse, and the Carnac stones, respectively.
To commemorate Hancock’s sojourn to Micronesia, students recreated the Nan Madol, the lost civilization of Pohnpei; the temple of Nan Dowas; and the notorious Easter Island statues.
To replicate Mexico, students recreated magnificent Chichen Itza, La Venta, and Teotihuacan.
Students also replicated Cambodia’s Angkor Thom and Angkor Wat.
And last, but certainly not least, students commemorated Hancock’s visit to Bolivia by reconstructing in the classroom the Sun Gate of Tiahuanaco.
For more information concerning this fascinating and wonderful project, please contact Miguel Gonzalez at mgonzale1@hcstonline.org


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