October was an exciting month for our TAG class. We completed two hands on forensic labs (a chromatography lab and a mystery powders lab) and we learned about D.B. Cooper's mysterious escape in the 1970's as well as Africa's mysterious Kongamato creature. Our genius hour sessions are in full swing. The students are taking charge of their own learning proving that this time was much needed for their intellectual growth and to help them strengthen lifelong learning skills (creativity, problem solving, critical thinking, leadership, communication, information management, curiosity, and reflection). I look forward to posting student projects that are a direct result of genius hour time in TAG. Our art study is still focused on Gustav Klimt. The students are in the middle of their personal art projects. They were instructed to be inspired by Klimt's art but to surprise me with their own interpretation. The only must-haves were to include a tree, a touch of gold, evidence of repeated patterns, and one smaller mysterious/meaningful object. This of course was all part of Klimt's Tree of Life. Check back in November for pictures of completed art projects. Last, but certainly not least...we went on a field trip to LIGO Livingston on October 23rd. Watch the video for more information and background about LIGO. In a nutshell....it is a science observatory.....1 of only 5 in the world....run by scientists from MIT and Cal Tech (and more)........and the scientists there recently proved Albert Einstein's 100+ year old Theory of Relatively to be correct....which in turn won them a NOBEL PRIZE IN PHYSICS in 2017!!!!! Our universe is one big mystery and that is why a trip to LIGO and an understanding of how scientists continue to ask questions and find new ways to study the universe was a must-do on our list for this school year. Please scroll down and see pictures from our field trip!