Did you know that one week before Aaron Burr fatally shot Alexander Hamilton during their infamous duel in 1804, the two Founding Fathers shared a meal at Fraunces Tavern in lower Manhattan?

Teams of middle school educators, along with their families, colleagues and friends, took turns re-creating the duel on the steps of the tavern as part of the UFT Middle School Division’s second annual scavenger hunt on Saturday, March 9.

More than 100 attendees raced to solve clues about Hamilton — who lived and worked in lower Manhattan — and learn about the area’s rich history.

Richard Mantell, the UFT’s vice president for middle schools and a self-proclaimed history buff, organized the event. Instead of hosting a traditional indoor conference for middle school educators, Mantell opted for a family-friendly activity that required people to work together.

“That’s what a union is, right?” Mantell said. “Working together for a common cause.”

Suezette Kirlew, a social studies teacher at IS 238 in Queens, attended the event with her young daughter, her teenage son and her sister. Kirlew and her family joined social studies teachers Michael Galderisi and G. Acevedo from MS 363 in the Bronx to form their team, Hunters and Gatherers.

Kirlew said the scavenger hunt was a great idea for engaging students and educators alike in history. She particularly enjoyed the hands-on element. “We’re standing in history,” she said. “I love that.”

Teams were guided by a mobile app, which asked them to complete photo challenges and answer questions about landmarks in the area. Galderisi and Acevedo took the lead on their team during the hunt, often completing the tasks before the others.

“I’m pretty competitive,” Acevedo laughed. “I think all middle school teachers are kind of competitive.”

Acevedo and Galderisi enjoyed teaming up with Kirlew and her family. “It’s nice to work with people who do the same job as you,” Galderisi said.

Galderisi said his favorite part of the hunt was exploring the churchyard at Trinity Church, Hamilton’s final resting place, which is “always very pretty no matter what the weather’s like.”

While Hunters and Gatherers didn’t win — Team Got Milk? earned that victory — Kirlew didn’t let that bring her down. It’s not about winning, she said, but about enjoying “the true beauty of what’s out there.”