In May and June, 2023, children in Kaitlyn Smallwood’s grade 3/4 class at Atlantic Memorial Terence Bay School participated in a series of workshops with artists and community partners connecting with the local culture and traditions from the time of the wreck of the SS Atlantic 150 years ago. Through knowledge sharing, brainstorming, and art creation we explored how the resilience, generosity, and cooperation evident in our local communities at that time might help to guide us toward a sustainable future.


The children learned about local history from Bob Chaulk and created artwork, writing, and recordings with Jaqueline Halsey, Jazz Keillor, Ariella Pahlke, Marissa Slaunwhite, and Melinda Spooner. Captain Phil Watson and Emily Sollows, from the Bluenose II, visited the class to talk about the history of the ship and the trip it would take flying the children’s flags for the anniversary visit to the SS Atlantic wreck site and the Blessing of the Boats in Terence Bay, NS on July 30th, 2023.
This project was developed and facilitated by Ariella Pahlke and Melinda Spooner as part of Navigating Futures Phase 1.