The Solar Quest - Dorchester

The Solar Quest was an artist residency project involving the integration of art, science, math and language arts. The project was conceived and implemented by science teacher, Paul Dunne, art teacher Cynthia Cummings-Birch and sculptor Emile Birch. The 8th grade students at IRS worked throughout the 2008-2009 school year with Mr. Birch to create a scale-model of our solar system in which the planets are represented by concrete sculptures that have been placed throughout the towns of Enfield, Canaan, Grafton, Orange and Dorchester. Each planet has been placed on its actual orbit in relation to the sun, which is a six foot sculpture located at Indian River School. All the sculptures and icons were designed completely from the ideas and input of the 8th grade students.

This trip around the solar system will take you to all five towns in the Indian River School district. You will need your car or spaceship to complete this Quest and a crayon to make a rubbing at each planet. Each rubbing counts as a stamp impression.

Take US Route 4 towards Enfield/Canaan. Turn into Indian River School/Mascoma High School on Royal Road. Indian River School is located behind Mascoma High School and the sun is located right in front of Indian River School.

Click here to view/print the clues and map for this quest.

Created by the 8th grade students at Indian River School in 2009.