The purpose of this project is to engage 6th-grade students in a hands-on exploration of historical events, encouraging them to draw pertinent lessons from the fall of the Roman Empire and apply them to contemporary issues. Students analyze various historical sources, collaborate in teams, and express their understanding through the creation of a PSA ZINE, fostering critical thinking and creativity. This experience will deepen student awareness of modern societal challenges and develop their ability to propose solutions proactively.

Students will explore historical sources to identify and analyze the main causes for the fall of the Roman Empire. They will synthesize information collaboratively to create a ZINE that connects to modern issues and suggests ways to avoid similar societal pitfalls. This project will develop skills such as critical thinking, research, teamwork, and persuasive communication, encouraging students to draw parallels between past events and contemporary challenges.

Throughout the learning experience, students create various components that cumulatively build toward their final product: a PSA ZINE. This includes individual group discussions, analyzing secret file folders with diverse historical sources, and collaboratively identifying the top three causes for the fall of the Roman Empire. By synthesizing information, students develop creative content for each page of their zine, combining text, images, and persuasive messages that connect historical events to modern-day implications. The culminating ZINE reflects both their analysis of Rome's fall and proactive strategies for current societies to avoid similar pitfalls, demonstrating the application of historical understanding to contemporary issues.

Begin the project with an interactive mystery-solving activity where students are divided into small groups and given secret file folders containing various historical documents and sources. Each group will act as a 'detective agency' tasked with piecing together the clues to identify potential causes for the fall of the Roman Empire. After reviewing their evidence, groups will present their initial hypotheses to the class to create a collective understanding and stimulate curiosity about the factors involved. This collaborative launch encourages engagement and sets the stage for deeper exploration, critical thinking, and collaborative learning.

Students will host a Roman Empire-themed exhibition where they will present their completed ZINE PSA projects to classmates, school staff, and family members. The event will be interactive, allowing visitors to ask questions and engage with students about their research and findings related to the fall of Rome. Additionally, students can set up a station where they highlight modern parallels and discuss potential solutions learned from history, fostering dialogue and deeper understanding among attendees.