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Dogwood students participate in first annual GMSD Envision Expo

In the first ever GMSD Envision Exposition held on April 6, students in grades 3-5 were able to showcase all that they had learned through their research projects. More than 300 people from the district and the community came out to view the 150 student projects. 

“Students were able to take ownership of their work, apply their research and presentation skills, and develop social skills as they shared their findings with parents and community members,” Dogwood teacher Karen Teel said. 

Throughout the event, visitors could learn about different parts of the world, ways to stop pollution, this history of broadway and music, and so much more. Students in each grade level completed two projects, and they got to exhibit the project of their choosing. Third graders completed a pet parade project where they researched the care and needs of a pet, and a curiosity expedition, where they got to do a deep dive into a topic of their choosing. Fourth graders researched an environmental issue for their first project and did a knowledge quest in an area of their interest for the second project. Fifth graders completed a travel project, where they planned and budgeted for a trip, and a career exploration, where they researched the path to a career of their choosing. 

“Envision is a dynamic program that individually differentiates and challenges gifted students beyond the standard curriculum,” Teel said. 

The Envision Exposition was based on Bloom’s Taxonomy of specific measurable objectives that lead to personalized end results. It is designed to inspire students to set goals for their future.

Some projects allow students to take an interest and learn even more, deeply questioning change over time and comparisons to related topics. “Pokemon is the largest money making media franchise in history. I loved learning about it," third grader Miller Guthrie said. He learned who created it, how it began, and how it’s evolving. 

All students do a focused five minute presentation on their learning to their respective classes. Then they do a written reflection of the experience. That process helped them field questions at the expo. Each student was able to explore their own interests, and then they practiced presentation skills by sharing with the community. 

April 2023 -- In the first ever GMSD Envision Exposition held on April 6, students in grades 3-5 were able to showcase all that they had learned through their research projects. Karen Teel from Dogwood Elementary shared that there were so many skills students were able to learn through this project, saying, “Students were able to take ownership of their work, apply their research and presentation skills, and develop social skills as they shared their findings with parents and community members.” Throughout the event, visitors could learn about different parts of the world, ways to stop pollution, this history of broadway and music, and so much more. Mrs. Teel also shared that Envision was, “a dynamic program that individually differentiates and challenges gifted students beyond the standard curriculum.” The Envision Exposition was based on Bloom’s Taxonomy of specific measurable objectives that lead to personalized end results. It is designed to inspire students to set goals for their future. Students worked on two projects throughout each semester, and then they chose which one they would like to present at the Exposition. There were 150 independent research projects from all four elementary schools. The Envisions Exposition was a huge success and accomplishment for students and teachers alike! Farmington fourth grader Esther Zhang shared her project, “Do Wormholes Really Exist?” She created her own newspaper that answered questions such as, “What causes wormholes?” She also shared that she chose this topic because she has always been interested in space, and she is interested in studying the theory of wormholes and their connection to blackholes. Miller Guthrie, a third grade student from Dogwood, did his project on, “The largest money making media franchise in history,” - Pokémon. He learned who created it, how it began, and how it’s evolving. Fourth grader Addison Atwood shared about clouded leopards and how we could be doing more to protect them from poaching. Mason Denelsbeck, a fifth grade student at Riverdale, did his project on Egypt, because he would love to visit one day and get to see the pyramids. Each student was able to explore their own interests, and then they practiced presentation skills by sharing with the community. The Envision Exposition was certainly a success!
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