Tryon Elementary School third-graders traveled from the depths of the ocean to the far reaches of space during a field trip to Roper Mountain Science Center in Greenville just before winter break.
The trip celebrated students’ completion of their last two English language arts units on the ocean and space. Students experienced the planetarium and completed four hands-on ocean labs, including building an island, exploring underwater with robots, and holding and touching a variety of sea creatures.
The experiential learning brought classroom content to life through interactive science experiments that reinforced concepts students had been studying. Teachers described the trip as more than just a field trip, but an educational experience that will leave a lasting positive impact on student learning.
The Polk County Community Foundation provided a grant that covered the cost of the field trip, enabling all third-graders to attend at no charge to families. The funding ensured every student could participate in the science center experience regardless of financial circumstances.
Tryon Elementary third-grade students and teachers expressed gratitude to the Community Foundation for providing the opportunity to connect classroom learning with hands-on scientific exploration.
