Some of Lynwood Unified’s most gifted, talented and high-achieving elementary school students explored arts, dissected brains and engaged in hands-on science experiments as part of the District’s inaugural GATE Field Day on May 30.
Over 200 third- through sixth-grade students in the District’s Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) program engaged in diverse learning opportunities, from neuro-graphic art projects designed to ease stress and boost mindfulness to science, technology, engineering and math experiments and games.
“GATE Field Day was a fun experience for me,” Marshall Elementary sixth-grader Aaliyah Villegas said. “I got to explore my creative side and interact with students from different schools. One of the highlights was sharing my photographs with the students at the photography club. I'm looking forward to joining the club at Lynwood High School.”
At Lynwood Unified, GATE students engage in rigorous academic opportunities and enrichment activities after school. This was the first time students engaged in similar activities with peers from across the District during the school day.
During the event, Firebaugh and Lynwood High School students from the biomedical science, engineering, photography and video production pathways put together poster boards, shared program testimonials and walked students through demos giving them an inside peek into their work and potential futures.
Scholars also visited information tables hosted by various partners, including the National College Resource Foundation. The Foundation presented a two-part activity: first, helping students complete an elephant toothpaste experiment that demonstrated the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide to create a foamy substance; and second, challenging students to compete in e-sports games.
Meanwhile, teachers from P.S. Arts led students through a seed and bead mosaic art project and other watercolor exercises, while instructors from Mad Science dressed in lab coats and helped students create slime, bouncing balls and drag race cars.
“Being a gifted and talented student affords our students extra opportunities in and out of the classroom to explore science,” said Stephanie Aguon, GATE Coordinator at Will Rogers Elementary School. “They’re getting a chance to make slime, dissect brains and do other exciting activities that will add to their classroom experience.”
Students also received insight from Charles R. Drew University representatives, who brought informational guides and models to teach students more about the brain region, body systems and major organs. After their lesson, students were given a free lab kit filled with safety goggles, stethoscopes, a ruler and a magnifying glass to use throughout the event and take home to share with their families.
"I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to all our partners, the LUSD team and our exceptional GATE coordinators for providing this opportunity to our scholars," Superintendent Gudiel R. Crosthwaite, Ph.D. said. "At Lynwood Unified, we are committed to offering innovative and impactful experiences that foster our students' learning and growth. What a great way to wrap up a successful school year and inspire our students about their futures in this extraordinary District.”