Elm Street School third-graders visited the state museum and state house in Augusta recently.

Students learn Maine facts

MECHANIC FALLS – Third-graders from Elm Street School visited the Maine State Museum and State House in Augusta on May 23. They explored the museum with parent chaperones as they searched for answers to an explorer’s guide, “Fact Hunt.”

The hunt led them to search for such things as a “swing dog,” shipbuilding augers, ground fish and school fish.

They also learned about Maine agriculture and quarrying. In addition, they discovered many animals in their natural habitats, as well as many Maine minerals. The students also viewed a display of products made in Maine.

Before the self-guided tour, each class attended a special gallery program to learn more about tidal pools or Maine birds. They have reported to each other in class concerning the specific gallery program that their group attended.

After lunch in the lobby of the museum, the students were greeted by Rep. James Hamper, who gave them a personal tour of the State House.

They visited a committee meeting room where Hamper re-emphasized the process of how a bill becomes a law, which the students had learned in social studies class.

Next, they visited the House of Representatives Chamber and discussed the voting process that goes on there. Finally, they followed Hamper to the Senate Chamber where he explained the many facets of the state seal.

The experience covered many topics of their social studies curriculum as well as addressing many areas of the state learning results requirements.