Learning social studies in middle school has never been more fun than using a crime scene to drive the lesson home.

Ms. Beckley, Ms. Briguglio, and Ms. Pierce partnered together for a memorable Social Studies lesson for their 8^th grade students last week. Each classroom was set up to mimic a crime scene to teach their students about the tragedy of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire that took place during the Progressive Era on March 25, 1911 in New York City. It was the deadliest industrial fire killing 146 of its 500 employees.

The students immediately became detectives investigating evidence strewn about between the two classrooms while working together to share theories of how they think the fire started. After sharing their conclusions, students learned how changes were made to improve workplace safety and the creation of building codes to protect employees in workspaces preventing future disasters.