8th graders recreate ancient Roman structures

With the help of Middle School Educational Technologist Kari Luecke, students in Middle School Latin Teacher Richard Rosenthal's class recreated ancient Rome using USN’s 3D printer.
By Richard Rosenthal, MS Latin Teacher

After reading about the Great Fire of Rome in Tacitus's Annales in the original, eighth-grade Latin scholars rebuilt the burned-down city under the direction of Middle School Educational Technologist Kari Luecke. The Scholars reconstructed the Roman buildings using a computer-aided design program and then printed the edifices on the school’s 3D printer. Latin is no longer just using a chisel and a stone tablet.  

On Wednesday, May 13, the scholars traveled back to Rome as it was in 100 CE. While in Rome, the scholars took selfies in front of some of the major Roman structures, such as the Pantheon, Circus Maximus, and Flavian Amphitheater. 
 
In addition to learning how to use a CAD program, the scholars learned about Roman engineering and society.
Back

More USN News

List of 3 news stories.

  • Construction progress as of August 7, 2026.

    Back Lawn transforms with turf field, track

    Expect to see an active construction site as students, families, and faculty return to the Edgehill Campus. Progress continues on USN's most anticipated campus improvement of summer 2026.
    Read More
  • In June 2026, a group of USN students spent two weeks in Mendoza, Argentina through a program organized by Sister Cities Nashville.

    Curricular travel opportunities return for the 2026-2027 school year

    University School of Nashville is excited to announce the return of curricular travel opportunities. Student applications for the 2026-2026 school year will open Friday, August 21, 2026. Additional details, including, financial aid processes, and application timelines, will be shared with families soon.
    Please contact K-12 Director of Experiential Learning Kalee Barbis with any questions, kbarbis@usn.org.
    Read More
  • Back-to-school Popsicle Party cancelled

    Mother Nature is not cooperating for our annual Popsicle Party. Depending on which weather app you use, actual and feels-like temperatures are 98 to 101 and higher. Under these conditions, we would limit student activities, so, in the interest of everyone's health and well-being, we are going to cancell our gathering at the River Campus. There is just not enough shade and certainly no air conditioning to bring relief to hundreds of USN families. Thank you for understanding. We look forward to seeing you in a few days for the start of our new school year.
    Read More
Archive
USN Mission: 
University School of Nashville models the best educational practices. In an environment that represents the cultural and ethnic composition of Metropolitan Nashville, USN fosters each student’s intellectual, artistic, and athletic potential, valuing and inspiring integrity, creative expression, a love of learning, and the pursuit of excellence.