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Struthers students hunt for their geography teacher
STRUTHERS
About 55 Struthers fifth-graders and parents took on a “Where’s Waldo”-type challenge during the last week of September to try to find fifth-grade geography teacher Justin Gough at public spots around town.
Gough hid at various locations such as Mauthe Park, Dunkin’ Donuts and an Arby’s restaurant each afternoon between 3:30 and 4:30 p.m. Sept. 17 to 25 to try to see whether the students could follow directions he posted online.
Gough said he hosted this project, titled “Where’s Mr. Gough?” to teach students about Global Positioning System technology.
Cole McKenna, a fifth-grader student who participated in the project, said he teamed with his parents all six days to try to find his teacher.
“It was hardest the last two days,” Cole said. “We didn’t get lost, but he didn’t give us street names then.”
But even when things got difficult, Cole said he and his parents were able to figure out Gough’s location each time.
“It was a bit of an experiment,” Gough said. “But I would say it was a success. I had a lot of involvement with the students and their parents.”
Gough said he taught his students about GPS devices and technology last year, but he said this was the first time he launched a “Where’s Waldo” type of project.
Pete Pirone, Struthers Middle School principal, said the project was approved in spring.
“[Gough] had a lot of participation from students,” Pirone said. “I thought it was great that students and parents were able to meet with the teacher outside the school environment.”
For the last two years, Gough said schools have made a bigger push to educate students on GPS technology when a new content statement was made for social studies teachers from the Ohio Department of Education.
He said teaching the students about GPS technology in fifth grade will better prepare them for material they will see in sixth grade.
He said he plans to host more enrichment activities with his students in future months “to get them to think outside the box.”