The Advanced Academics department in the Socorro Independent School District invited first and second grade students in the district’s Gifted and Talented program to enjoy a day of fun and educational activities at the SISD Technology Service Center.
Nearly 300 students participated in the GT event in November, where they conducted hands-on activities to explore the concepts of kinetic energy and force of gravity.
Students visited different arts and crafts stations to make cars to test force, built rails to race balls on, and made catapults to launch mini handmade winter bean bags into the air.
Trista Rocha, a first-grade student at Loma Verde, said she was excited to take a field trip and participate in the GT event.
“I’m having so much fun learning,” Rocha said. “Trying to get these things to work can be frustrating, but today is teaching me not to give up, and once I get the activities to work, it feels so good.”
Participating in the hands-on and collaborative activities allows GT students to expand their potential with analytic thinking and creativity.
“I like GT because I really enjoy making stuff, and it’s so much fun, especially when we get to go on field trips like this one,” said Helena Quineara, a second-grade student at Cactus Trails Elementary School.
Matthew Gamboa, a clerk in the Advanced Academics department who assisted with the event, said the day’s activities gave students great experiences to help them grow and expand their learning.
“The hands-on learning the students are experiencing today will prepare them for the future,” Gamboa said. “These are concepts that they can eventually apply in the real world while they get to have fun with other kids.”