Submitted photoReece Chastain takes part in comparative participating in a hands-on dissection. Students worked in small groups to dissect two different species of fish. They compared and contrasted their fish.  

Thomasville City Schools Elementary Gifted and Talented Education Services (GATES) Program students in third through fifth grades recently traveled to Driftwood Education Center to extend their classroom learning. Driftwood Education Center is located on St. Simons Island, one of the Georgia barrier Islands, surrounded by miles of salt marsh and acres of maritime forest. The program they participated in incorporates math, science, language arts, and social studies with outdoor, activity-oriented classes.  

Students learned about: marine biology, salt marsh ecology, reptiles, low country cultures, and other science related areas over their three-day, two-night field trip. Classes included: Muck, Snails and Rails (learning about marshlands), Gator Tales (Georgia reptiles), Jekyll Island Exploration and Hike, Brain Twister STEM activity, and Evening Exploration (nocturnal activities).