Bringing the Donner Party Drama to Life

Eighth graders in Ms. Logan's social studies class brought history to life with eye-catching infographics that told the gripping human story behind the Donner Party tragedy. Each project featured a minimum of two original graphics or charts — many went above and beyond! — highlighting demographic data such as age, gender, family size, and survival rates. Mathematical accuracy was emphasized, with students analyzing data to make sense of the stark differences in who survived and who didn’t. The infographics combined clear layouts with purposeful headings and captions, making complex data accessible and meaningful. Most importantly, students were challenged to go beyond the numbers, articulating a central insight — what this episode in history reveals about human resilience, vulnerability, and the hard calculus of survival on the frontier.