Devon Prep 6th graders explore the earth in the comfort of their own gym.
Devon Prep’s Middle School students recently took a trip around the world and never left the campus. Their journey began with a world tour around the outside of the Earth Balloon, a 19' diameter inflatable globe that had been set up in the school’s gym.
As they walked around the floor to ceiling globe they discussed the various features of the balloon such as continents, oceans, geographic regions and conservation. They then stepped inside the earth for a more in-depth exploration of topics specifically tailored for them.
Guided by presenter Bernadette Davis the 6th, 7th, and 8th graders explored a variety of topics including rain forests, deserts, ecosytems, processes that shape and form the planet, and plate tectonics among other things.
“I think it offers the students a unique opportunity to view their world in a way not possible using conventional maps and graphics,” said Mr. Roger Mecouch, chair of Devon Prep’s Science Department. “For the students to be able to see the Earth from both the outside and inside is truly an out of this world experience."
The experience was quite a hit among the 70 middle schoolers as well.
“I thought the Earth Balloon was fun, creative and very educational,”
Sixth Grader Bobby Pickell agreed. “The Earth Balloon was so cool I now understand tectonic plates better.”
For Seventh Grader Andrew Loper the “amazing Earth Balloon helped me learn more about the rain forests of the world.”
Delaware Children’s Museum in Wilmington sponsored the Earth Balloon program at Devon Prep. The objective of the program is to develop and encourage a child's natural curiosity about his or her world through an interactive geography activity. The Museum has reached tens of thousands of students through the Earth Balloon program since it began in 2004.
Devon Prep is a private, Catholic, college preparatory school for young men in grades six through 12 conducted by the Piarist Fathers and located on Philadelphia’
Photo:
http://www.prlog.org/
