Tell me, and I will forget. Show me, and I will remember.
Involve me, and I will understand. - Confucius
Friday, December 21, 2012
Dear Live It Learn It friends,
Can you believe first semester is already done? We wanted to take a moment to celebrate our work together and share a few highlights from the school year thus far!
4th graders at Randle Highlands ES were featured on Channel 9’s “Cool Schools” series during their Pop Art program.
5th graders at Raymond EC were also featured on Channel 9 during a Pathways to Professions program with the National Park Service.
4th and 5th graders at Patterson ES put their own twist on the Live It Learn It “ditty,” as seen here.
We invite you to “like” our Facebook page, where you can see photos, videos, and more of all our Live It Learn It classes in action! We update the page daily.
We consider it a great privilege to partner with you and serve DC students—and we look forward to more exciting academic experiences in 2013!
Happy holidays!
The Live It Learn It team
P.S. Looking for something fun to do with your students (or even your own kids) over the break? Check out this winter weather-themed art contest with KidsPost!
After a series of conversations over many months, we have succeeded in piloting a new multi-part program with the Shakespeare Theatre. This program includes three core components:
A “Pathways to Professions” visit to the Theatre, during which students meet various staff members and learn about jobs in the theater industry.
A second visit to the Theatre to watch a kid-friendly version of a Shakespeare play.
A third visit to the Theatre, during which students get to perform a scene from a play they have been rehearsing.
Students learning about the work of a costume designer!
We have thus far piloted the first and second components with a class of 5th graders from Randle Highlands– and each has been a resounding success! Special thanks are due to Marcy Spiro, the Community Engagement Manager for the Shakespeare Theatre for her coordination of this program and also to Ms. Caesar for her work in preparing her class for the multiple pieces of this experience.
We look forward to updating you on the last piece of the program (a student performance) during the Spring of 2013.
This week a group of fifth grade students from Raymond Elementary School visited the park headquarters of National Mall and Memorial Parks to investigate the role National Park Services plays in preparing for the inauguration. Check out the awesome story from Channel 9 news!
On November 7th, MavenLIFT hosted an app pitch night at the Arlington Cinema Drafthouse and the prize was $3,000 in support to build an app.
Chris pitched an idea that is currently called Textcursions which would essentially move Live It Learn It programming onto mobile devices. Students would be challenged to answer questions and solve problems on a mobile device while on our field trips. Students would then return to the classroom and edit the work they started on the trip to write a final report electronically. Once students have finished their reports they could send it to their teacher and also notify their parent of the trip that they just completed. One final addition is that families would also be given the opportunity to download a copy of the trip report and even print out a photo book for a keepsake.
The exciting news is that we won! We are now in collaboration with MavenLIFT to build a working app and we are also securing tablet computers to roll this out come spring! It will prove to be an exciting venture.
It feels like the school year just began, yet Thanksgiving is right around the corner! It can be easy to get caught up the rush, the important projects, and the daily "to dos" that define our busy schedules at work. In honor of our upcoming national holiday, I am dedicating this post to a brief reflection on aspects of my job with Live It Learn It for which I am particularly thankful.
Here are my top three:
1. My Co-workers
I am thankful for the opportunity to work with a committed, creative, and compassionate group of people. I am appreciative of professional support this community provides every day- from
cutting and copying, to editing materials, to conversations about how to improve our programs and instruction. This is a team endeavor!
Live It Learn It Staff (though we are missing a few important members)
2. Our Mission
I am thankful for the opportunity to work for an inspirational purpose-- to increase achievement and motivation for students who need it the most.
Live It Learn It students at the National Museum of the American Indian
Live It Learn It Students at the FDR Memorial
3. Our Destinations
I am thankful for the opportunity to work with dedicated professionals representing local institutions and organizations and to benefit from the wealth of resources that this city offers each of us.
Roy Lichtenstein, Look Mickey (1961), National Gallery of Art
As we mentioned a few weeks ago, one of our new programs this year is a special one. For the next few months, the National Gallery of Art is exhibiting a retrospective of the world-renowned pop artist Roy Lichtenstein. In addition to the exhibition, the Gallery also commissioned a play titled "Framed!" based on Lichtenstein's works. (You can learn more about the exhibit and play here.) Of course, when the Gallery reached out to Live It Learn It about bringing in some of our DCPS students, we popped at the chance! (Get it?)
Students share what they learned about Lichtenstein in the classroom
There was one practical dilemma to consider: How in the world were we going to plan an academically rich and engaging trip knowing there would be nearly 500 other students also there each day to see the play and exhibit? Sure, we were worried, but we were also confident that our approach to experiential learning and museum engagement would not only get our students hooked, but keep them there.
I think we were right.
We conducted the first of our Pop Art trips on Wednesday. After our students viewed "Framed," which was a big hit, we waited patiently as the self-guided groups rushed out of the auditorium. By the time we made it upstairs to begin, a few of them had already walked through half of the huge exhibit!
Hoards of students filed by us as we found a seat in front of the Lichtenstein painting at the entrance to the exhibit and reviewed everything we'd learned about the artist in the classroom. Once in the galleries, the students were excited to see--up close and personal--the paintings they'd just seen in the play and back in the classroom. They discussed popular culture and turned Lichtenstein's early Pop art works into advertisements. They practiced cropping, a technique Lichtenstein often employed, as they sketched their own versions of his black and white paintings. Downstairs, students viewed works by other Pop artists like Andy Warhol, and tried their hand at curating their own exhibit focused on Pop art.
One caption created by a student read:
"One spray takes away gray!"
Amazingly, one problem we did not run into (but had anticipated) was fighting through the crowds. Live It Learn It had planned focused, engaging, and academic activities for each of our stops in the exhibit space. And thankfully, since the other crowds blew by, we had most of the exhibit space to ourselves and were able to have real conversations about the art. In fact, students were so engaged that they didn't want to leave! They continued to discuss Pop art and Lichtenstein over lunch provided by National Gallery, and eagerly shared their reflections on the play.
All in all, I think we were able to hook every single student. And every teacher knows that is no small feat!
*Live It Learn It would also like to give a huge THANK YOU to the National Gallery of Art staff for rolling out the carpet for our students, and for all of their help planning this wonderful experience!*
My friends and family ask this question frequently as they start a conversation about my new position at Live It Learn It. They know that I have been a classroom teacher for the past ten years and they are interested in how the transition is going. I usually surprise them when I say: "I am out of my own classroom but I am usually teaching a lesson in another teacher's class at least once a day." I then explain how Live It Learn It has been a great organization to work with since I can still teach and interact with students regularly while at the same time work on programming on a larger scale.
Testing the clarity of the Potomac River with students from Patterson Elementary School.
I am now working in more schools and classrooms than I could have ever imagined. Instead of working with my usual cohort of 100 students as a middle school social studies teacher, I am now working with hundreds of students in grades 4th through 6th. This is amazing because I now see how the lessons, activities, and even songs we teach as Live It Learn It have a broader impact throughout the city. It is a different type of teaching which also raises questions that I did not grapple with in my own classroom. I find myself thinking more about how to make the educational resources of DC accessible and meaningful to students I have yet to meet. I wonder about how we can systematically create an educational community of learning outside of the classroom; where field trips and museum studies are the norm and not an add-on or exception. Most importantly I grapple with how we can tap into the rich educational resources in this city to improve the wonder, excitement and love of learning for all students across the city.
While I am thinking about large-scale programmatic issues, I am also excited that I can step into another teacher's classroom on a daily basis. This helps me stay focused on how students interact with our programming and it keeps me grounded in the reality of the students we serve. It is an honor to work with Live It Learn It now that I truly understand the systematic impact we are making one classroom at a time.
Exploring mosaics at the Library of Congress with students from CW Harris Elementary School .
Compromise is at the heart of Congress. How do many voices and diverse perspectives find common ground?
If you look carefully, you can find
George Washington on the rotunda's ceiling!
5th graders can relate to this challenge. They are at an age where they are testing their personalities and growing in their identities. They are learning to appreciate each other as unique individuals, to vocalize their opinions, and to respect their differences.
So it is a powerful thing to witness these many awesome kids band together as one class. The U.S. Capitol has that kind of effect on people. Out of many, one.
As they study the legislative branch with Live It Learn It, students explore the basics of representative government and the responsibilities of Congress. During their visit to the Capitol, they look for clues that tell stories about freedom, our nation's history, and the role of legislation in progress toward equality.
The kids are awed by the size of the building, the beauty of the artwork, and the legacy of hope for a better future that this place conveys. I watched their jaws drop when we entered the rotunda and I overheard several students say they want to work here.
During this heated election season, my experiences with students at the Capitol remind me that the role of government is not to divide, but to unify.
As always, we are working hard to improve our curriculum and instruction for DCPS students. This school year one of our focuses is building a Live It Learn It community in our partner classrooms. The most popular addition to the Live It Learn It experience is our "roll call" which the students have begun to call the "Live It Learn It ditty."
Check out this amazing Live It Learn It ditty performance:
Hello, Live It Learn It friends! We have two tidbits to share with you today:
Live It Learn It was recently highlighted in the Washington Post. Help us spread the word, about our growing organization and our work with D.C. Title I schools by sharing this article with someone you know. Our partners and community are the foundation of our organization. We have a strong network but always welcome opportunities to tell our story to an ever-widening circle.
Looking for something fun to do this weekend? Consider visiting Hard Bargain Farm, one of our destination partners. Saturday is Oktoberfest at the farm. All are welcome to partake in outdoor, fall-themed activities including hayrides and making apple cider.
Check out our pictures below to see where Live It Learn It students were this week! As always, the city served as a great teaching tool for DC public school students.
4th grade students from CW Harris Elementary School visit the National Museum of the American Indian.
Students learn different ways the Lakota people told stories in their culture.
5th graders from Ferebee-Hope visit the FDR Memorial.
Students learn about urban breadlines during the Great Depression.
Monday, September 24, 2012
One Thing Teaching Has Taught Me
by Erica Harper
One of the most poignant lessons teaching has taught me is to celebrate the little victories. When I first began teaching, I was like most recent graduates -- bright-eyed, bushy-tailed, and uber-idealistic. I was convinced I would have students reciting Shakespeare and using the Pythagorean Theorem to unlock some mysteries of the universe in no time. Reality proved to be quite different, and I quickly realized that if I was going to continue teaching, I needed to meet my students at their level. Every child I worked with wasn't guaranteed to be a baby Einstein, but that didn't mean they couldn't succeed. And even success looked different for each student.
That student that is never prepared, but shows up one morning with two finely sharpened pencils ready to work? VICTORY! That student that never talks, but perks up during my lesson on the solar system and even chimes in to answer a question? VICTORY! The student that never smiles, but finally returned one after months of working with her? VICTORY! The student who can barely read, but proudly recited MLK's "I Have a Dream" speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial? VICTORY!
I had to learn to appreciate these victories as they came, and was struck with how much there is to celebrate when you change your perspective.
Friday, September 14, 2012
We are proud to announce new programs for the 2012-2013 school year!
Fifth grade students will travel along the Potomac River on the Sequahana, which is operated by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. While aboard, students will assess the health of the Potomac River by completing several water quality tests using scientific instruments. They also will have the opportunity to catch, touch, and identify fish, examine plankton under the microscope, identify bird and fish species, and experience a day on the river - all while enjoying stunning views of their city!
Sixth grade students will participate in an interactive art lesson entitled "Hear Art/See Music" at the Kreeger Museum. Students will view African masks and investigate how masquerades demonstrate elements of culture. Students will then create their own masks using natural materials. Finally, students will participate in a drum circle where they connect the patterns on their masks to the rhythms being played on drums.
We are pleased to offer two programs for fourth grade students at Mt. Vernon this year. The first program focuses on George Washington: The Revolutionary. During this program, students will further explore Washington’s leadership and legacy. Evidence of his revolutionary mindset appears across the estate, and students will analyze it in the preserved artifacts as well as the outdoor environment. The second program focuses on colonial slavery. During this program, students will explore first-hand what daily life was like for slaves. They will view period objects and tools, such as toys and a spinning loom. Students will explore various work houses and slave quarters to analyze the life of slaves. Finally, students will visit an exhibit about slavery in the education center at Mount Vernon.
Fourth grade students will explore the art of Roy Lichtenstein while visiting a retrospective of his life's work at the National Gallery of Art. This program will begin with a play, entitled Framed, about the life and art of Roy Lichtenstein. The play uses a combination of music, acting, and visual art to tell the story. Students will then tour the Lichtenstein exhibit as they explore the historical context of the artwork and the various techniques used by Lichtenstein. Finally, students will have the opportunity to sketch one of Lichtenstein’s works.
Fourth grade students will have a new opportunity this school year at the Washington Youth Garden. The unit will focus on nutrition and how our food choices affect our health. Students will examine the five food groups and the specific nutrients and health benefits that come from each. During the trip, students explore the garden – harvesting and tasting different plants – to learn how a garden can provide a balanced meal. The culminating activity is a cooking lesson where students help prepare a healthy snack which they eat together at the end of the trip.
Recently, two of our school partners have been showcased in the local news--and we couldn't be prouder! Read on to find out what's newsworthy about Burroughs Education Campus and Orr Elementary School.
Check out more photos of Harrod and her students here.
The Washington Post featured Hope Harrod (a long-time Live It Learn It teacher partner and a Live It Learn It board member) and her colleagues and students at Burroughs Education Campus on their first day of school.
Post reporter Emma Brown quoted Harrod and one of her students:
“This has been a wonderful day. Lots and lots of instruction, lots and lots of procedures,” the teacher said. “It’s been a long day.”
Yessenia Aguilar, who was packing up her homework folder, disagreed. “It was very short,” she said. “Too short.”
Over in southeast DC, students at Orr Elementary School were featured on WJLA for their rap video about how much they love their school. Principal and Live It Learn It board member Michelle Edwards said, "I think this video gives us an opportunity to show the world that great things are happening at Orr Elementary School in Anacostia." We couldn't agree more!
Some would say that teachers have it easy, but we at Live It Learn It know teachers juggle a seemingly endless list of tasks on a daily basis. That being said, we hope all you educators find some time to relax and enjoy this holiday!
We at Live It Learn It hope that everyone has had an enjoyable summer. We are super excited to begin Year 8 (wow!) of our program and can't wait to get students exploring and learning from DC's fabulous resources.
But the work didn't stop just because the kids were out for the summer. Our goal has always been to have every student that we work with -- regardless of learning style or ability -- "get it." We've been diligently working on improving Live It Learn It -- everything from revising curriculum to hiring new staff. Here's a little about both...
Hiring
Back in March we began our search for a new staff member. From a pool of nearly 200 applicants , one eventually rose to the top -- Chris Magnuson. He comes
to Live It Learn It with a passion for designing learning activities outside of
the classroom. While teaching social
studies at Paul Public Charter School for ten years, he created a monthly
competitive scavenger hunt program on the National Mall and also a study abroad
preparatory program that introduced his students to the international
communities in the DC metro area during “Saturday Abroad” trips. He earned his bachelor’s degree in
anthropology from American University in 1997 and then in 2001 he was awarded
the James Madison Fellowship which allowed him to pursue his
master’s degree in teaching social studies from Brown University in 2002. We are elated to have Chris join the Live It Learn It family!
Programming
Adding new destinations -- We are currently in the process of adding a few exciting new programs.
Mount Vernon
George Washington
Colonial slavery
National Zoo
Ecosystems & the Amazon rain forest
National Gallery of Art
Pop art and the life of Roy Lichtenstein
Kreeger Museum
Connecting art and music
Revising curriculum -- We have been working hard to improve our current program offerings. In addition to making our lessons and trips even more engaging for our students, we have been working to incorporate the new Common Core national learning standards that DCPS has adopted. We hope this will continue to help our teacher partners better integrate Live It Learn It instruction into their daily plans.
We are looking forward to sharing this school year with you. Remember to check back each Friday -- we will share some comments from our partners, post pictures and videos from trips and lessons, or update you on new initiatives and happenings!
We are excited for the upcoming school year!
But first let's reflect on what our students had to say about last year.
Thank you notes from Ms. Harrod's 5th Grade class from Burroughs Education Campus.
"The trips that you took us on were perfect for school because they were educational but fun at the same time. I like the Live It Learn It program because you took us on field trips but you also taught us a lesson before and after. This is important because usually when classes take a field trip they just go and have fun and do not usually do work...but we were learning and having fun as well. " Nimai
Nimai's letter with illustrations from the places he visited with Live It Learn It: Dutch Ambassador's Residence, the Phillips Collection, Hard Bargain Farm and the Newseum.
We look forward to another great school year with DCPS students as they experience all the educational riches Washington, D.C. has to offer.
Parents, are your kids getting restless at home this summer looking for things to do? Students, do you want to compete in a scavenger hunt with your friends or help feed a live tarantula? Check out the free summerevents and programs being offered at different museums in DC. Live It Learn It loves to bring students to these places during the school year!
Newseum:
Kids 18 and under are admitted free for the summer! Check
out the link below for dates/times of youth classes and scavenger hunts,and how to make reservations.
Storytelling, hands-on activities, dance performances, art
projects, and more for free! Come hear about the pink dolphins of the Amazonian
culture and then participate in an art activity, or listen to a story in two languages and
then learn a traditional Andean dance. Follow the link below for dates and
times.
Check out X-ray photographs of fish from thousands of years
ago, help feed live tarantulas, or create art while learning about butterflies
and caterpillars during Mariposa Mondays! Programs above are free; click the link
below to learn about locations and times.
Live It Learn It students touching a buffalo skin at the
National Museum of the American Indian
Be sure to let Live It Learn It know if you visit any of these locations! We'd love to hear about your experiences and any discoveries you make during your visit.
If you thought that was easy, we challenge you to a bonus round! (Our 5th graders know these answers too!) Can you also...
...name the 9th planet that was demoted to a "dwarf" planet in 2006?
...name the orator who famously said, "I am for the immediate, unconditional, and universal enfranchisement of the black man, in every state in the Union"?
...explain the differences between the Emancipation Proclamation and the 13th Amendment?
...describe Calder's biggest challenge in creating his mobiles?
And if you are stumped, we encourage you--come September--to join us in the classroom and/or on a trip to learn more :)
by Alex Winnick, Live It Learn It intern and undergraduate student at the University of Michigan
Anyone who has seen Waiting For Superman can tell you that DC public schools are the worst. The worst test scores, the worst reading levels, the worst systems. After spending a month as an intern with Live It Learn It, I can attach one final segment to this order: DC public school students are the best. The best personalities, the best minds, the best potential.
These failing test scores and substandard reading levels capture only a fraction of the schools in which I worked. They fail to represent the students’ natural intelligence, winning smiles, positive attitudes, and their innocence. They don’t congratulate the teachers and staff members, (both the permanent fixtures and those who ride in wearing red plastic name-tags) dedicated to educating the “worst.”
Live It Learn It enforces the notion that students everywhere want to learn; it is an inherent, human desire. Anyone who blames these students for ranking lowest in the nation is wrong. Anyone who believes these students are incapable of achieving high standards is seriously misguided. Students who jump out of their seats to answer a teacher’s question are not failing; students who can master the concepts of an entire lesson in an hour are not substandard.
Live It Learn It proves that these students can learn, and moreover, that they can learn just as well as any other student. While critics and education experts may have condemned our nation’s capital as the lowest, those of us who still believe in the power of urban youth can rally with Live It Learn It’s charge, and find the best in the worst.
Looking for something fun and educational to do with your students or children over these hot, summer weeks? How about taking your own field trip to the United States Botanic Garden?
Here are some ideas for how to make the most of your time exploring this wonderful institution:
Before Your Visit
Learn something new about plants!Your trip will be much more educational and exciting if you have some pre-exsiting knowledge before you visit the garden. Visit this link for a kid-friendly, interactive review activity, or go to your local library and consider checking-out one of these books.
Seedfolks (1997) is a short children's novel written by Paul Fleischman, with illustrations by Judy Pedersen.[1] The story is told by a diverse cast of characters living on (or near) Gibb Street in Cleveland, Ohio, each from a different ethnic group. Chapter by chapter, each character describes the transformation of an empty lot into a vibrant community garden, and in doing so, they each experience their own transformations.[2]
Miss Rumphius reads like a family memory shared around the dinner table. Miss Rumphius travels the world until she is exhausted and then she settles down in a cottage by the sea. After that, she risks her reputation, roaming the countryside flinging lupine seeds into every nook and cranny in order to make the world a more beautiful place; a task bestowed upon her by her grandfather. I love Miss Rumphius because she is a single woman who follows her bliss. She lives her life according to her own dreams and goals. She is true to herself and keeps her promises to the peoples
Or watch this video clip to determine if you would like to lean more about a trip on a magic school bus!
Be Prepared. Plan to spend about an hour and a half in the gardens. Bring water, and lunch or a snack to enjoy while you are on site. Some parts of the garden (like the desert!) are quite hot, to simulate what these environments are like in real life. There are air conditioned spaces as well.
Set Expectations. Remind your students that although the gardens may not look like other museums you have seen, it is a special museum-- for plants. Similarly to how we don't touch paintings in a museum or animals in the zoo, we keep hands off of these botanic creatures. Try to smell them instead!
Jungle in the United States Botanic Garden
During Your Visit
There is much to see and do at the Botanic Garden. Here are just two simple activities you may want to try on your trip.
Garden Court Scavenger Hunt:
Have a blast exploring while looking for examples of these ten items in the central courtyard! Print out this list and write the name of the plant you found that meets the description next to each item.
1. A bee's lunchbox (any flower!)
2. A plant whose fruit is a popular breakfast choice
3. A plant whose bark can be made into a brown spice often used to flavor applesauce, or oatmeal
4. A plant whose stem is hard, extremely tall, and can be used to build things
5. A plant whose seeds are used to make chocolate products
6. A plant whose leaves are used to make a warm, herbal beverage
7. A plant you have never heard of before
8. A plant that smells good to you
9. A plant you have seen many times before (at your home, school or other familiar place)
10. Your favorite plant in the Garden Court
Garden Court at the United States Botanic Garden Desert Sketch: The plants in the desert room are fascinating to observe. Each has special adaptations that allow it to thrive in an environment with intense sunlight and little water. Bring a small notebook and pencil, find a comfortable place to sit, and sketch the cactus you think is most interesting. Label your drawing with the plant's Latin name, then come up with your own name for your plant based on a characteristic that stands out to you. Look out for the "Old Man Cactus"! How do you think this cactus got his name? After Your Visit
View of United States Botanic garden and the Capitol
Don't let the learning stop! Check-out Live It Learn It's Superstars page for more activities and exciting websites, designed for students to navigate with little adult supervision required. Or, visit the United States Botanic Garden's site to explore their on-line resources for students and adults. Have a specific question about a particular plant? Call or email the USBG's plant hot-line and an expert will contact you with an answer in 24 hours or less!
Be sure to tell us about your experience at the Botanic Garden! It's one of our favorite spots to visit and we would love to hear about any discoveries or connections you made during your trip!
By Meredith Forbes, Live It Learn It volunteer and MEd candidate at GMU
Take a walk through the halls of the National Gallery of Art, stare up into the night sky at the Smithsonian’s planetarium, or go on a scavenger hunt through the Botanic Gardens, and suddenly a tall granite sculpture, or bright star in space, or ordinary green fern, becomes a library of inquiry and learning for young children. This was my observation this past month visiting community resources across Washington, D.C. with DCPS students and teachers as a Live It Learn It volunteer.
Students sketch their favorite of Calder's "Animobiles" at the National Gallery of Art.
For a pre-service teacher like myself, it’s a beautiful sight to walk through the doors of the East wing of the National Gallery of Art and hear the chattering sounds of 17 fifth grade boys quickly turn into excited oohs and ahhs at the sight of Alexander Calder's 76-foot-long mobile suspended from the ceiling. “Wow, it looks like a dinosaur!” one student exclaims. Empowered with knowledge of the elements of art and sculpture from their pre-lesson, Mrs. Hardy’s fifth grade boys from Randle Highlands Elementary School spend the morning being artists, mathematicians, and explorers.
After studying masks at the National Museum of African Art, students create a mask of their own.
As a Live It Learn It volunteer, I have witnessed firsthand the powerful
impact of learning outside the classroom, and have met some amazing
kids and teachers. As a future teacher, Live It Learn It has reinforced
my commitment to teach in under-served schools in Washington, D.C., and
spread the Live It Learn It philosophy of learning through experience
to my future students.
The end of the school year is bittersweet, especially as we say goodbye to the majority of our 5th grade students.* After completing two years of programming with Live It Learn It, Randle Highlands Elementary School 5th graders are gearing up for the transition to middle school. We have greatly enjoyed getting to know them, learning alongside of them, and watching them grow into mature, thoughtful individuals. We are proud of you (and the students at all of our other partner schools too)!
*Only 6th graders at DC's education campuses currently participate in Live It Learn It.
Here is a snapshot of some of what these kids have lived and learned over the past two years:
Nov 2010: interpreting a Lakota Winter Count at the National Museum of the American Indian
Feb 2011: studying plant life at the US Botanic Garden
Nov 2011: constructing a geodesic dome at the National Building Museum
June 2012: analyzing sculptures at the National Gallery of Art
We also asked a few students to reflect on their experiences with Live It Learn It, and share what they are looking forward to about middle school in the fall. In their own words...
5th
grade students from Turner ES recently took an amazing Pathways to Professions
trip to the Washington National Cathedral. Engineers from Keast & Hood Co.,
working with the Cathedral’s head mason, provided an exclusive, private tour
through the Cathedral – where students looked at recent earthquake damage and
traveled all the way to the stone gutters high above the ground! Thanks so much to Keast
& Hood for this once-in-a-lifetime experience! Below are photos of
students’ memorable day – and a description of the experience from our allies
at Keast & Hood.
Turner Elementary students pose with Keast & Hood engineers and Head Mason for the Cathedral
by Laura Burke, Structural engineer, Keast & Hood Co.
When you hear the word "engineer," what comes to mind? A nerd to the core? Dorky glasses? A passion for math and
science? Students from Turner Elementary School recently ascended almost
30 stories to discover just what engineering is all about. Young
engineers from Keast & Hood Co. led students on an incredible journey through the Washington National Cathedral. Students were introduced to architecture (how the building looks), structural engineering (how the building stands), and even what happens to a stone masonry building (The Washington National Cathedral) during an earthquake.
Posing under one of the Cathedral's bells with the Head Mason
The tour kicked off as Head Mason Joe Alonso guided
students through the construction history (yes, Darth Vader is in indeed carved
on the building exterior!) and the earthquake exhibit at the Cathedral. From there students had nowhere to go but
up, literally! Looking out over the District of Columbia, the natural trepidation experienced by
the students, and even some engineers, of ascending almost 30 stories was
surpassed by the awe and excitement felt by all the
students. Students also learned about the wider world of Keast and Hood's structural engineering projects --- from disaster relief in
Haiti to renovations of the New York Statue of Liberty. Who would have
imagined!?
A student poses in front of an old model of the Cathedral
Students bravely climb a very high winding staircase
"The Cathedral was a perfect opportunity for students to learn about building design and construction. Whether it was a damaged gargoyle display, pictures of the cathedral during construction or looking out over a wall at 200 feet in the air (!), the students got to experience and learn about construction in a very dramatic and exciting way. It was great to see students be excited about math and science at such a young age. I know my experiences at the Cathedral will stay with me for a long time; I expect that the kids’ day will last just the same." Leslie Morris, Structural engineer, Keast & Hood Co.
An engineer shows a student the earthquake damage while standing in one of the Cathedral's gutters
"It is a common understanding in structural engineering that our best work is usually hidden from the public and therefore much of our work goes unnoticed. However, the exact opposite was true when we were able to take students from Turner Elementary School to the National Cathedral. I practically felt like a rock star with the level of interest and amazement the students had for the earthquake damage at the Cathedral. It was truly an awesome experience to see the students' minds light up when we talked and showed them how structural engineering was helping fix the Cathedral." Chris Johnson, Structural engineer, Keast & Hood Co.
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