Clearwater Middle School students were featured on National Geographic Kids' website for their efforts in recreating the ship Patience.

The school decided to craft build a five-foot model as part of last year's 400th anniversary celebrations. The original 30-ton pinnace was built by Sir George Somers to travel from Bermuda to Virginia, in May 1610.

National Geographic became interested in the project when they came to Bermuda to talk to St. David's Islanders about their links to the Piquot Indians.

The project is now featured in a photo gallery on the website http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/photos/gallery/celebrating-patience.

Clearwater deputy principal Derek Tully explained how the project came to be.

"No one actually knows what Patience looked like but Neil Phillips, our technology teacher, and myself researched drawings, paintings, sketches of 17th century pinnaces.

"Mr. Phillips then drew a scale diagram of what we thought Patience's design would be."

He continued: "Educational research on learning styles shows that boys learn and understand better if they are actually involved in the lesson. Put simply, boys learn better through experience.

"A team of six boys worked, often after school, constructing the model and thoroughly enjoyed it. They were using their math curriculum — fractions, ratios, measurement in the project — applying their classroom theory in a practical setting."

Dr. Tully said one of the boys wrote a story about the vessel and it had published in this newspaper's Young Observer section.

He said the girls were not left out family studies teacher Janelle Whyte worked with a team on 17th century meals and food preparation.

Ms Whyte also helped the girls research types of clothing worn in the 17th century, integrating a 21st century curriculum into a 400th anniversary project.

Dr. Tully added: "The end result was spectacular. The model of Patience won first prize in its class at the 2010 Agricultural Exhibition and the children were invited to the 400th anniversary celebrations of the departure of Deliverance and Patience in May 2010."

He said the students dressed in 17th century costumes for the event.

The model of Patience is now on display at St. George's Town Hall.