Summer Field Trip Inspires Middle School Student

January 16, 2018

A field trip to Discovery Cube in Santa Ana was the inspiration Elizabeth, a seventh grader from Baldwin Park Unified School District, needed to continue pursuing her dreams. Think Together’s nationally recognized Summer Learning Programs combine academic support with fun camp activities and field trips that foster learning while creating memorable experiences. For Elizabeth, one of 8,000 students that participated in this year’s programs, the field trip furthered her passion for her dream career: surgeon.

This was Elizabeth’s first time at a museum. Catching up with her halfway through the day, she said, “I’m just loving it. It’s my first experience and it’s amazing.” Her highlight was learning new vocabulary words: kinetic energy, gravity, and fiction. She also loved the pulley chair exhibit – a contraption designed to teach kids about gravity as they lift themselves towards the ceiling.

“We don’t just have to sit and learn, they take us outside and we do different things,” Elizabeth shared. 96% of Think Together’s summer students agree saying they enjoy attending the programs.

With many students losing two to three months of progress in reading and math skills over summer, it’s necessary to offer stimulating outings that are fun and academic. Discovery Cube provided the opportunity for Elizabeth to expand her knowledge of science in a cool environment with other likeminded students. She was better equipped to begin the 2017 school year and has the inspiration to pursue her dream of becoming a surgeon. See you next summer Elizabeth!

Similar Stories

  • Summer Matters Network PARTNER AnalysisJuly 25, 2018 - 9:32 pm

    In April 2018, the California Summer Matters Network (CSMN) conducted a survey to learn about its effectiveness, specifically about how well collaboration among partner organizations can achieve the goal to increase the number and quality of free or low-cost summer learning programs across California by facilitating strategic connections of summer learning supporters.

  • Product Review: Using Video Games to Support LearningJune 8, 2018 - 10:46 pm

    Game Learning is an educational video game development company that believes fun and education should go hand in hand. They’ve released two games: Roanoke: The Lost Colony and Boston: Road to Revolution, and they have 60 more games under development.

  • Summer Matters Superheroes UnmaskedJanuary 25, 2018 - 4:51 pm

    Summer Matters Superhero Award recipients are leaders who put energy and resources into summer learning, not because they have to, but because they are convinced that EVERY child matters and EVERY child can succeed with the right support and foundation.