Greystone Elem. students learn outside the classroom

Published 2:52 pm Friday, December 2, 2016

 

HOOVER – Students at Greystone Elementary School discovered how much fun learning can be during Brain Games.

Brain Games, a special enrichment week of events, was held Nov. 14-18.

The week kicked off with a special guest speaker, the creator of OSMO and the game apps that go along with it, on Nov. 14.

Wesley Williams runs during the GES Turkey Trot.

Wesley Williams runs during the GES Turkey Trot.

The rest of the week was filled with activities that were both fun and educational.

Activities included optical illusions, mosaic making, puzzles, board games and magician tricks.

There was even a sheep brain dissection demonstration, which is something students usually do not experience until later in their school careers.

Other guest speakers included a Mount Everest climber, magician and pediatric neurosurgeon.

A Parent Game Night Fundraiser from 6-7:30 p.m. on Nov. 17.

Giant board games were installed outside the school for Brain Games.

On Nov. 16, the school held its annual Turkey Trot run sponsored by the physical education departments.

For the Turkey Trot, parents were invited to come run with their children on a course that included hills and obstacles.

The school gets involved with Get Moving Alabama, National Run at School Day and the Mercedes Marathon.

“Our kids love to run,” GES Principal Stacey Stocks said.

For the Mercedes, students log 25.2 miles of running at the school and then join other students from around the area for the annual race.

Mandy Fox, who organizes Brain Games, said the effort is a way to allow students to learn outside of the typical classroom setting.

“We try to foster a growth mindset,” Fox said. “You can continually make new connections and grow. There is no saying, ‘I’m bad at math.’ You just haven’t gotten it yet.

“We have a blast. It’s madness, but it’s a lot of fun.”