Room 5 Takes Washington: A Journey of Learning, Discovery & Celebration

By Emily Stefanich & the Room 5 Crew

This past weekend, our intrepid Room 5 students and their families embarked on an unforgettable journey to Washington, D.C., celebrating the culmination of our Lunar Quilt project while immersing ourselves in the rich history and culture of our nation’s capital.

Our adventure began on Friday as we made our way down to D.C., eager for the experiences that awaited us. By Saturday, we gathered at the Smithsonian National Zoo, where we marveled at the famous giant pandas—one of the first chances to see them as they are finally on display after arriving from China. We also saw red pandas, Amur tigers, lions, otters, elephants, and more! The zoo’s diverse array of animals, combined with the warmth of the spring-like weather, made for a perfect day of exploration and connection.

Sunday brought the highlight of our trip: visiting the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, where we witnessed our quilt blocks proudly displayed in the iconic Hall of States. Our students’ work stood among 300–400 submissions, with only about 50 student and 50 adult quilt blocks selected for the final pieces—an extraordinary honor that filled us with pride. Even more inspiring, we had the opportunity to meet astronaut Karen Nyberg, who quilted in space and whose vision brought this project to life. Seeing our students’ contributions on display in such a prestigious setting was a moment of joy, recognition, and reflection on the power of creativity and perseverance.

Following our time at the Kennedy Center, we continued our exploration with a student-led tour of D.C.’s monuments. Beginning at the Lincoln Memorial, our students took turns presenting their research, guiding us through the Reflecting Pool, the Korean War Memorial, the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, the FDR Memorial, the Tidal Basin, the Japanese Pagoda, the Jefferson Memorial, the Washington Monument, and the World War II Memorial. Along the way, we paused for well-earned popsicles and water breaks, staying cool and energized as we soaked in the history and significance of each landmark. As the sun set, we parted ways—exhausted but deeply enriched by the experience.

On Monday, we capped off our journey with a tour of the U.S. Capitol. Walking through the halls where our congressional representatives work, we gained a firsthand look at the legislative process and the foundations of our democracy. A particularly fascinating discovery was learning that the Capitol dome is made of cast iron—a material chosen for its lightweight properties at the time of construction. Seeing the statues from Massachusetts made us feel a special connection to home, grounding our experience in both national and local history.

As we journeyed back, tired but fulfilled, we carried with us memories of discovery, achievement, and shared adventure. This trip was more than just a visit to D.C.; it was a testament to our students’ curiosity, dedication, and the boundless possibilities that unfold when we say “yes” to exploration, learning, and creativity.

You can read more about the quilt blocks and student entries by clicking here and scrolling to the bottom. You can use the arrows to click through each of the selected student entries, with the Acera entries at the beginning alphabetically.