Field Trip to Fort Worth
I realize you could say that almost every weekend I take a field trip to Fort Worth. :) But yesterday I had the opportunity to visit parts of Fort Worth I've never seen in the ten years I lived there, and to experience it through the eyes of a Cambridge 6th grader. The 6th grade teacher asked me about a month ago if I wanted to join her class for a Fort Worth field trip during finals week, and I quickly jumped at the opportunity to get out of the office and get to know our five youngest students.
We started the day at the Fort Worth Modern Art Museum. None of us were quite sure what to expect, but we all enjoyed it more than anticipated. From paintings to sculptures, photographs to architecture, the art captivated us. I was really impressed to hear some of the comments from the students as they reflected on the pieces - their interpretation of certain aspects, what they reminded them of, etc. Very mature thinking from these 6th graders. Of course, one of their favorite pieces is "Vortex," a large sculpture outside the building which you can walk into and which echoes quite loudly when you jump or talk. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to create my own modern art by photographing these students and their experience.
"Vortex"
After the Modern Art Museum, we headed to the new Science and History Museum. I've heard so many good things about this museum, and it didn't disappoint. We were only sad that we didn't have more time to explore. We didn't even make it to the exhibits! We spent all our time in the Innovation Studios, where the students created and flew paper helicopters, figured out how to power Christmas lights, produced movies, experimented with light, decorated Christmas ornaments, designed sculptures in sand, and had a blast. When we left they were all asking how soon we could go back - and Prof. Perkins and I were the same way!
I'm not sure when the next 6th grade field trip is, but I know I want the opportunity to join these students on another outing (I'm already signed up to see Madame Butterfly with them in May!). It was such fun getting to know Amanda, Emily, Hailey, Kevin, and Caleb, and to experience the wonder of art and science through their eyes.
We started the day at the Fort Worth Modern Art Museum. None of us were quite sure what to expect, but we all enjoyed it more than anticipated. From paintings to sculptures, photographs to architecture, the art captivated us. I was really impressed to hear some of the comments from the students as they reflected on the pieces - their interpretation of certain aspects, what they reminded them of, etc. Very mature thinking from these 6th graders. Of course, one of their favorite pieces is "Vortex," a large sculpture outside the building which you can walk into and which echoes quite loudly when you jump or talk. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to create my own modern art by photographing these students and their experience.
"Vortex"
After the Modern Art Museum, we headed to the new Science and History Museum. I've heard so many good things about this museum, and it didn't disappoint. We were only sad that we didn't have more time to explore. We didn't even make it to the exhibits! We spent all our time in the Innovation Studios, where the students created and flew paper helicopters, figured out how to power Christmas lights, produced movies, experimented with light, decorated Christmas ornaments, designed sculptures in sand, and had a blast. When we left they were all asking how soon we could go back - and Prof. Perkins and I were the same way!
I'm not sure when the next 6th grade field trip is, but I know I want the opportunity to join these students on another outing (I'm already signed up to see Madame Butterfly with them in May!). It was such fun getting to know Amanda, Emily, Hailey, Kevin, and Caleb, and to experience the wonder of art and science through their eyes. 
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