Page 9 - BGUT Magazine Summer/Fall 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 Institute EVERY YEAR THE GEAR UP SUMMER INSTITUTE PROVIDES STUDENTS WITH ACADEMIC ENRICHMENT EXCITING FIELD TRIPS AND AND WORKSHOPS AND AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE FRIENDSHIPS THAT WILL LAST A A A LIFETIME This summer students had the chance to choose one of two tracks—STEM 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 motion In Algebra they studied the the properties 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 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 a multifaceted STEM-based experience focused on zoology ecology and conservation with the Zoo serving as a a a a science lab for students to meet and interact with over 700 different species of animal Programming at at The Bronx Zoo was integrated and tied into BGUT’s science coursework demonstrating the strong link between urban ecology and the ecosystems that support our food webs and living environments 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 and empathy for honeybees and and 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 to provide students with an an exciting chance to to explore the the museum Students delved into exhibitions like the 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 Cortland 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