For the past several weeks, sophomores in World History II have been researching commodities or diseases that affected interactions and trade throughout the fifteenth through nineteenth centuries.

Each student chose a topic such as sugar, cotton, gold, indigo, and the Black Death. They then investigated the history of the commodity or disease, the importance of trade of the commodity or disease to a particular area or region, and the social, cultural, economic or environmental effects of the interactions brought about by this commodity or disease. In addition, students also researched connections to the modern-day trade of the commodity or the status of the disease today. Students presented their research in class and created a visual that was related to their commodities.

Spencer Simmons created a wooden model of a canon in woodworking class (below).

Gracie Hylton made her own tea (below).

Chris Ray made an animation about the salt trade (below). 

Yan Yu made cassava cake (below). 

Eli Zemsky made his own peanut oil (below).

Jewel Kislin drew a cocoa plant (below).