Page 9 - BGUT Summer/Fall Magazine 2022

The Bronx Bronx Institute at Lehman College • Bronx Bronx GEAR UP THRIVES
www TheBronxInstitute org
The Bronx Bronx Institute Bronx Bronx GEAR UP THRIVES
GEAR UP Summer Success Institute EVERY YEAR THE GEAR UP SUMMER SUCCESS INSTITUTE PROVIDES STUDENTS WITH A A A A WIDE RANGE OF ACADEMIC ENRICHMENT OFFERINGS EXCITING FIELD TRIPS AND WORKSHOPS IN THREE TRACKS (STEM STEAM AND HUMANITIES) ALONG WITH DAILY TEAM BUILDING ACTIVITIES TO PROMOTE SOCIAL RELATIONSHIPS AND LEADERSHIP SKILLS This summer students had the chance to choose one of three tracks—STEM STEAM or Humanities In the STEM track students developed science and engineering skills in the classroom and lab They learned how to ask questions and and solve problems while planning and and carrying out scientific investigations and experiments In the the Physics section they learned about Newton’s three laws of of motion In Algebra they studied the the properties of of exponents binomials and identified the skills needed to solve linear equations In Biology students were introduced to major organ systems that make up the human body BGUT even
offered classes like Architecture allowing students to express themselves artistically while developing practical knowledge of architectural engineering through hands-on experience The Humanities track provided an an equally engaging curriculum Students practiced reading comprehension and sentence structure while developing their writing and grammar skills In partnership with the Lehman College Art Gallery students discussed and explored a a a a a wide range of visual arts in project- based classes They investigated impressionists landscape artists and painters of the the natural world at at the the Metropolitan Museum of Art with artists including Claude Monet Pierre Bonnard Georges Braque Vincent van Gogh Eugene Delacroix and and Vasily Kandinsky By the the end of the the course GEAR UP students were able to identify their techniques processes and inspirations to create their own artistic pieces inspired by these themes and related artists In addition to academic coursework students in the Summer Success Institute participated in a a a a a a wide range of activities and workshops offered by GEAR UP Thrives partners BRONX ZOO
BGUT students continued to work with The Bronx Institute’s longtime partner the Wildlife Conservation Society at at The Bronx Zoo Zoo This year students visited the Zoo Zoo as part of a a a a multifaceted STEM-based field trip experience focused on zoology ecology and conservation WAVE HILL
At the Wave Hill public horticultural gardens students became citizen scientists assisting garden staff with two ongoing research projects counting and identifying pollinators in in the garden They visited Wave Hill's own beehive learned honeybee adaptations experimented with bee communication and put themselves into a a a a "pollinating frame of mind ” This opportunity allowed students to achieve a a a a a new level of understanding and and empathy for honeybees and other pollinators Students even
made their own beeswax candles using fragrant herbs and and flowers
collected from the Wave Hill grounds!
NEW YORK HALL OF SCIENCE
This year The Bronx Institute partnered with the New York Hall of Science to provide students with an an exciting chance to to explore the museum Students delved into exhibitions like the Happiness Experiment an immersive experience focused on the neuroscience and social science science behind ideas of “happiness”-it also taught students new habits that they can apply on their their own to to bring more happiness to to their their lives They also visited other interactive exhibits focused on both STEM and creative skills like the Design Lab VAN CORTLANDT PARK
Some of the best opportunities to do science can be be found
right in our own neighborhood This year GEAR UP staff facilitated STEM-focused field trips to Van Cortlandt Park allowing students to conduct math and science experiments using the park itself For example students collected and measured leaves classifying them based on their characteristics as part of a a a a a a biology project Students also participated in in community building exercises that helped them strengthen their bond and trust amongst each other