Fall 2012/Winter 2013 - Glenelg Country School

FacultyScience in the RockiesBy Susan Miller, First Grade, Primary School and Marcie Beauchamp, First Grade, Primary SchoolCombine science, teaching, learningand loads of fun and you have SteveSpangler’s Science in the Rockies.As part of the Summer AdventureGrant program, Susan Miller andMarcie Beauchamp attended theconference in Denver. Steve Spangleris a long-time television educatorwho is well-known for combininga solid experiential approachand a wonderful stage presenceto his science instruction. He andhis team provided the lessons,materials, and wonder to over 150educators attending the conference.The chemical and physical sciencedemonstrations included making foamblobs, propelling soda bottle cars,introducing LED-lit Velcro men on themall in Boulder, and the ever-popularpotato gun wars pitting teachers fromthe north against teachers from thesouth!A professional magician as well aseducator, Steve Spangler has littledifficulty holding the attention of hisaudience using scientific principlesand humor. His educational philosophypromotes having fun with scienceexploration, but he is quick to remindhis audience that “the show” shouldnever over-shadow the conceptbeing taught. Remember, “It’s notmagic, it’s science!” Steve Spanglerwas also conscientious about valuingthe contributions of educators andscientist of the past while promotingnew technologies and the enthusiasimof young teachers. His materials,which he shared with all conferencegoers,always honored those whofirst developed the experiment,and his team included young eagercollege graduates, current teachersexperienced at implementinginstruction within the classroom, andeven his own high-school chemistryteacher, who happened to be one ofthe most enthusiastic and energeticpeople in the room.Those in attendance at the conferencewere able to visit with Steve Spanglerin person, meet other teachers fromaround the world, and rejuvenatetheir own eagerness for science duringthe three day conference.We will be forever grateful for havingshared this enriching experience.Gaudi, Picasso, and Miró, oh my!In June of 2012, I was fortunate to travel to Spain for twoweeks. My husband and I arrived in Barcelona and stayedright in the heart of Barcelona on La Rambla, and busytree-lined Pedestrian Avenue. We acclimated quickly tothe tempo of life by sleeping late and beginning our daysclose to noon, as dinner was no earlier than 10:30 pm.Our location couldn’t have been better. We spent leisurelyevenings in the Gothic area getting lost over and overagain. We ate Tapas and Pintxos in cafes and met warm,friendly, and exciting people at every turn. We werewithin a block of the famous La Boqueria Food Marketand made several trips for fresh produce, meats, andcheeses. We toured the Picasso Museum, spent a beautifulafternoon in the Contemporary Museum but I loved theday we spent at the Miró Foundation the most! The roofwas especially exciting because of the whimsical, primarycoloredsculptures. While I couldn’t take photos inside theFoundation, I made up for it on the roof! Of course, onecan’t visit Barcelona without falling in love with AntoniGaudi. Sagrada Familia, with its soaring spires, draw one’seyes up yet frames the fantastical façades. Once inside,the columns, intended to be reminiscent of trees, give anorganic feel to this place of worship.We visited Casa Batllo, a UNESCO World Heritage Sitesince 2005, which was designed as a private residenceand is open to the public and attracts people interested inBy Suzanne Stone, Visual Arts, Lower Schoolviewing this marine-life inspired home.We said a sad farewell to Barcelona and flew to Bilbao,Spain to visit the world-famous Guggenheim, designedby Frank Gehry. Photos of the museum are fantastic butnothing compares to seeing this stunning architecturalmarvel in person. To make the situation even better Ibooked a hotel overlooking the museum and the balconyof our room faced the museum! I can’t say how many hourswe wandered around this jaw-dropping museum, nor couldI tell you if I was more taken by the architecture or the artwithin.After our brief stop in Bilbao, Jeff and I rented a car andtraveled for 5 days in the La Rioja area of Spain. Thesights and sounds of this less-frequently traveled areaare ones that I will hold dear. We visited several wineries,vineyards, and monasteries while driving through thecountryside. We had the best meal of my life when wedined at Etxebarri, a restaurant in Rioja highlighted byAnthony Bourdain show No Reservations. It took us a whileto find this exquisite restaurant but once we arrived wewere treated like visiting royalty!Leaving this wonderful country was difficult but we bothhope to return soon to reunite with new friends and seemore of this fabulous country.40 Spiortad an Dràgoin Fall 2012/Winter 201341