POLAND — On Friday, Oct. 4, Bruce M. Whittier Middle School will host a Cultural Exchange Day with members of the Somali community from Lewiston.

This event will support the learning of more than 120 eighth-grade students at the school as they develop the skills to critically analyze media in order to create a well informed opinion on a topic of interest within their community.

The curriculum was designed by eighth-grade teachers Erica Swenson and Alice Shea after the RSU 16 school district challenged all educators to focus on teaching critical thinking and inquiry through writing. Swenson and Shea used the research and writings of Kelly Gallagher to work with the students on identifying reliable sources, fact vs. opinion and bias in the media.

After mastering these skills the students will demonstrate their understanding by analyzing local media coverage of the Somali migration to Lewiston and multiple public documents including crime data from 2001-present and benefits provided to the refugee and immigrant population of Lewiston.

The students will then write an op. ed. piece answering the question “How has the Somali migration to Lewiston impacted the city?” Students will be required to form an opinion based on data and fact.

Swenson and Shea are looking for members of the Somali ethnic or Somali Bantu community to participate in the event along with any members of the community who were involved in supporting the new members of the community. Contact Alice Shea at [email protected].