THOMASVILLE- Thomasville High School science students were provided with a unique opportunity prior to their Thanksgiving break, as they visited the Georgia Aquarium through the help of a “sea grant” provided to Title I schools by the Aquarium.
The sea grant’s purpose is to allow students to experience what the aquarium has to offer and the educational opportunities available at an affordable price.
“They don’t want the price of the ticket to be an impediment,” said Biology teacher Mandy Russo.
In order for students to attend the trip, they must have an 80 in their science classes at THS or an 85 in their science classes at Scholars Academy.
When the students found out they were taking a field trip, most of them were excited as the opportunity for a high school field trip wasn’t presented often.
“I thought it was really cool that we got to go,” said sophomore Aniyae Smith.
While at the aquarium, students got to see a variety of aquatic life, along with birds such as penguins that live off aquatic animals.
Senior Reshad Parker said one of the animals they had learned about and finally got to see in person was a whale shark, among many others.
Sophomore T’karion Spivey was one of the students who got to stick his head in the penguin enclosure, where he said a penguin winked at him.
Although the trip was aimed at having students explore the likes of Marine Biology, Russo said for some students it also gave them the opportunity to simply experience life outside of Thomasville, which included the stops along the way.
One of the stops on the trip home was Buc-ees, which Jaya Sirmans said was her favorite part.
“I had never been there before and I didn’t know what it was,” she said.
Russo said stopping at the store was an experience in and of itself for many of the students, as the gas station offers everything from beef jerky to clothing and home decor.
“I really just loved the whole trip, from getting to see the dolphins to stopping at Buc-ees,” said Spivey.
The students hope Russo will consider applying for further grants that would allow them to explore the Atlanta Zoo, where they could see more animals in person.
“I think we forget a lot of times that school is more than just about sitting,” Russo said. “I realize state tests are important and I’m not forgetting that, but later in life you don’t remember that you took a lot of tests, you remember the things you did that helped you pass the test.”
Russo said going on a field trip like the Georgia Aquarium or the Atlanta Zoo is one of those things that helps when it comes time to test.
She plans to apply for another sea grant next semester for kids who have not taken a science this semester.
However, next year she is looking into other opportunities such as the Atlanta Zoo or a drive-thru safari located in Madison, Ga.
“There’s lots of other different places we could take kids to learn at,” she concluded.