Students in the 8th grade STEM Pod prepared a mock trial of Harry Truman and his decision to drop the Atomic Bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Using common resources and outside research, students were assigned various roles to play in the trial from Prosecutors and Defense Attorneys to the roles of various witnesses including Nuclear Scientists, Truman's Advisors, Japanese Generals, American Civilians, Bomber Pilots, and Bomb Survivors.
Students completed a Virtual Notebook in order to prepare for the trial, which culminated in a whole class mock trial during Mr. Scheyder and Mr. Vallbracht’s classes. By citing evidence and practicing research skills, students worked to answer the question: Should Harry Truman be charged with a war crime for the decision to drop the Atomic Bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki?
Overall, our lawyer teams excelled in asking questions that were well-planned and executed resulting in our community partner guest judge saying their questions were "logically sequenced and clear." These thoughtful questions helped each witness who took the stand space to provide accurate and detailed perspectives that surrounded Truman's decision to drop the bomb.
Students worked incredibly hard on this project for the past couple of weeks, and their presentations reflected that effort. Overall, it is clear that at RHMS, we have students who seek to be problem-solvers, and based on what we saw today, at least a couple of lawyers. #rhmsstemcats #WeAreRHMS