Google Expeditions at RES!

 On Thursday April 28th, RES students in grades 2-4, and CHMS students in grades 6-8 experienced virtual field trips through the Google Expeditions Pioneer Program.  Google Expeditions is a new product that allows teachers to take their classes on virtual field trips, immersing students in experiences that bring abstract concepts to life and giving students a deeper understanding of the world beyond the classroom. These trips are collections of virtual reality panoramas — 360° photo spheres, 3D images and video, ambient sounds — annotated with details, points of interest, and questions.

Several months ago RES third grade teacher Tonya Darby applied for our students to get this opportunity to try a new and innovative technology!  Students in second grade traveled to China, and even got to see a national park with peacock blue/green water. This trip connected to their unit on cultural studies around the world and helped to further extend their learning about a country that they have been learning about over the last month.  Students in third grade traveled west to support their social studies learning about life on the Oregon Trail.  Fourth graders traveled to Mars, connecting to their solar system unit of study, and allowing them to see close up a planet beyond Earth!  In addition to these curricular connections we also explored Everest and the ocean.

We are thankful to the Pioneer program for their support as well as teachers and staff who gave time and classroom space to host this great experience.

Want to learn more about the Expeditions Program? Check out:  https://www.google.com/edu/expeditions/
OR ask your student "Where did you go today?!"