Middle School Students Expand Horizons During Tiyulim Week

Middle School students had exciting and fun-filled adventures during Tiyulim week, March 19-23. Students took part in one of four different Tiyuls: Florida, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., and West Coast. Tiyulim week is the culmination of the experiential learning program and offers students various meaningful and memorable off-campus learning experiences. Each trip correlates with the academic curriculum.

Florida

The Florida Tiyul traveled to Tampa and embarked on a nature adventure. They dove into the themes of the exploration of Florida’s natural habitats, conservation of earth’s natural resources, and a deeper understanding of animal adaptations that help them survive in a changing environment. “The themes that came to define the Milken student experience on the trip were courage in the face of adversity, risk taking, and the creation of a tight-knit community,” said Middle School Assistant Principal Chris Scarlata, one of the chaperones.

 

At Lowry Park Zoo students came face to face with a toad, box turtle, and Onyx King Snake. They participated in a scavenger hunt that identified environmental adaptations of bears, panthers, eagles, manatees and more. A tour of the park’s surgical center and a Q&A with some of the veterinarians who take care of the animals rounded out their visit.

That wasn’t all. They also got up close and personal with squid as they dissected them at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. While at Crystal Springs Preserve, a sanctuary for preserving Florida’s natural environment, students collected water samples and tested the ph levels, snorkeled, and practiced dipnetting—catching fish with a large net—and after examining each one, returned them to the water.

 

Kayla Moss ’22 shared some of her highlights of the trip, which included snorkeling in the Rainbow River, making new friends, kayaking, and visiting the marine aquarium. There, she noted that they saw two dolphins, Winter and Hope, from the movies “Dolphin Tale” and “Dolphin Tale 2.” She added that she learned a lot about Florida’s water systems. Miriam Herstein ’23, who also enjoyed snorkeling, described it as “like floating down a lazy river … The Florida trip was a great way to enjoy the marine life of the Tampa area and find out ways to help the drought back in California,” she said.

 

Closer to home, students on the Los Angeles: Innovation in Arts and Entertainment Tiyul got a glimpse behind the scenes of the entertainment industry. At Disney Animation Studios, students learned firsthand about the production pipeline for animated features and went on backstage tours of the historic El Capitan Theatre and Hollywood Bowl, learning about their history and architecture.

 

Small groups bonded through friendly competition as they participated in scavenger hunts at Grand Central Market. Students viewed concept art, costumes, and jewelry from the film, “A Wrinkle in Time.” at the El Capitan Theatre. They met graffiti artists and learned about murals and the various styles in different regions as they toured the Arts District. The week culminated with a trip to California Adventure where they experienced the animation and story process in both Disney feature films and in the theme park.

 

Eden Sweet ’22 noted that her favorite part of the Tiyul was going to the Grand Central Market because she loved seeing how different cultures came together through food. “I loved learning about the different examples of art and innovation throughout LA,” said Sweet. “I had an amazing experience, and I got to see so many new and interesting places in LA.”

 

Spencer Davis ’23 particularly liked going to the Walt Disney Animation Studios because they met with some of the head writers and directors for the “DuckTales” reboot. “I enjoyed it especially because I love drawing and animation and would potentially pursue it as a career,” he said. “We even got to ask them specific questions about the inner workings of the industry.”

 

This group toured the Nation’s capital, visiting the White House, museums, including the African American Museum of History and Culture, monuments, and seeing “Shear Madness” (a murder mystery) at the Kennedy Center. They saw the changing of the guard and wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington Cemetery and explored various memorials. Many on the Tiyul experienced a few firsts, including seeing and playing in snow, and attending their first NHL game watching the Washington Capitals play. The theme of the Tiyul, according to chaperone, Jason Kim-Seda, Middle School Academic Dean, was “to explore the evolution of our country’s history and weigh the import of memorials as a cost to freedom and to see how our current institutions our grappling with our democracy in a more interconnected world.”

Zachary Ducorsky ’22 commented that his favorite part of the trip was seeing “some of the most amazing museums in America” because there were many items that were unique to them. He also learned about how significant monuments are to our nation. "I really loved how we got to learn out of the classroom and with friends," he remarked. Ani Walsh ’22 loved walking around the war memorials and monuments because they portrayed important parts of our country’s history. “I really enjoyed the Tiyul to Washington D.C.,” she said. “It was a perfect mix of learning and fun. The museums, monuments, memorials, and historical places we visited were truly amazing."

 

This group of students and teachers headed north to San Francisco and the surrounding areas. They visited the Golden Gate Bridge, The Marine Mammal Center, and students enjoyed spending their free time at Pier 39 and Fisherman’s Wharf.Also on the agenda were the California Academy of Sciences where they experienced the lush four-level Osher Rainforest, The Tech Museum of Innovation—an interactive and hands-on science and technology museum, a guided audio tour of Alcatraz Island, Monterey Bay Aquarium, where they enjoyed watching the penguins feeding time, and viewing the towering redwood trees at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park.

Eden Hirsch noted that her favorite parts of the trip were going to the Golden Gate Bridge and the natural history museums because she was immersed in the culture and history of the area. “My experience in San Francisco was unforgettable; I was immersed in both tons of history and new discoveries,” she explained. “It was incredible.”

Tiyulim week was a wonderful time for the Middle School students to learn new things, bond with their classmates and teachers, and create timeless memories. “These experiences are times I will never forget and are some of the best ones of my life,” said Moss.