GTA6 Artist Boat Field Experiences

As you probably know, Ms. Fox availed our grade 6 science students to an AMAZING in-class and out-of-class opportunity hosted by Artist Boat of Galveston, TX. Artist Boat educators came to QVMS and taught multiple workshop lessons based on 6th grade science TEKS. On these days, students were trained to use science equipment that they typically wouldn't see until high school or college. Next week, they will use that equipment on site "in the field."

In Galveston, students will study and implement science and incorporate water color painting of wildlife at the Coastal Heritage Preserve. In addition to the hands-on activities, students will observe plant and animal species on several of our ecosystems (coastal prairies, coastal dunes, and estuaries).

In addition to these activities, each GTA6 science class was given a $250 budget by Artist Boat to complete an action project. Students collected data for at least four weeks and created a presentation on their research. From this, the developed action plans which they are implementing at our school currently.

Thank You, Ms. Fox for Bringing This Opportunity to the GTA!

One fourth of GTA6 Science students will go to Artist Boat in Galveston on the following days.

• Monday, May 18th
• Wednesday, May 20th
• Thursday, May 21st
• Friday, May 22nd

Check the list BELOW to know which day your child is scheduled to go. This information may also be accessed by students in the GTA6 Schoology course.

• Students should bring a SACK LUNCH and TWO SNACKS--one for the morning and one for the afternoon.
• Students should bring more than one bottle of water.
• Students will NOT be kayaking.
• Students should wear their GTA6 shirts, school appropriate shorts or pants, and comfortable walking shoes (tennis shoes are recommended).
• Students may bring a string backpack to hold their belongings.
• Students do NOT need their laptops for school on the day they go on the trip.

Chaperones on this trip will have to DRIVE THEMSELVES--carpooling is suggested but not required.

Chaperones will meet at the school in the morning before the trip and then drive to Artist Boat Galveston, which is located at 2415 Ave K, Galveston, TX 77550. We anticipate it will be a really cool field experience, so we hope some of you will join us and help. THANK YOU!

[Consult the list above to know which day your child is going on the trip.]

MOST students have turned in their permission slips and waivers, but not all have. PLEASE CHECK WITH YOUR CHILD to verify if he/she has turned them in or not. Eventually, we will do our best to communicate with you if your child has not submitted his/her slip, but--as you might imagine--this is very time consuming, so please try to save us time by double-checking with your child.

A copy of the permission slip and waiver can be accessed below if needed. They can also be accessed by your child in the GTA6 Schoology course. Please complete and sign each and submit digitally by emailing them to Ms. Fox @ Elizabeth.Fox@fortbendisd.gov and also sending the physical copies with your child.

If your child is receiving an award, you are welcome to attend the Awards Program on Tuesday, May 20th at 2:00 pm, but your attendance is optional. If you come, please limit the number of people in your party; we anticipate it will be packed and standing room only.

Joseph Bernhart

Academy Coordinator

Gifted and Talented Academy

Quail Valley Middle School

joseph.bernhart@fortbendisd.gov

(281) 634-6687