Movie tough guys The Rock and Vin Diesel can't hold a candle to legendary explorers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark.
Or so 300 Fargo fifth-graders may now realize.
The students -- from Centennial, Jefferson and Lewis and Clark elementary schools -- took part in Fargo Public School's "Lewis and Clark Expedition" on Friday.
Centennial students walked three miles, and the Jefferson students 1½ miles, to Lewis and Clark, 1729 16th St. S., where they were joined by Lewis & Clark fifth-graders.
During their walk, students kept a journal, just as the explorers did on their expedition.
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At Lewis and Clark school, the students watched American Indian dancers and Fargo South High drama students perform historical re-creations.
Preparations for the student expedition began when school opened this fall, said Janelle Schumacher.
She and Lois Mauch, both physical education teachers, planned the event.
"We're all very excited about this. The students will benefit in a number of ways," she said.
For instance, the kids kept track of how many steps they walked to reach Lewis & Clark. They used the numbers in exercises intended to improve their math skills.
The original expedition inspires Americans of all ages.
In 1803 the United States bought the sprawling Louisiana Territory from France. President Thomas Jefferson decided the land should be explored.
Army officers Lewis and Clark led the exploration team and began training their men later that year. They were joined by Sakakawea, an American Indian who made invaluable contributions.
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Their two-year, 8,000-mile expedition to the Pacific Northwest and back was filled with danger and deprivation.
Jefferson and Lewis and Clark schools have obvious ties to the expedition, Schumacher said.
Centennial school has a tie, too -- sort of. The official celebration of the expedition's bicentennial begins next year.
Readers can reach Forum reporter
Jonathan Knutson at (701) 241-5530
