Students, staff, and parent chaperones attended Weather Day at the ballpark, where students connected real-life experiments to what they learned in the classroom. The Tigers welcomed weather experts, including Fox 2 meteorologist Stephanie Mead, who helped lead some of the activities.
These displays highlighted various science concepts, such as air pressure, phases of matter, and chemical reactions with engaging visuals. One example showed that one two-liter bottle of liquid nitrogen expanded so rapidly that it sent a cafeteria garbage can almost 50 feet in the air.
Fourth-grade teacher Leanne Duff said students sat close to the field where experiments came to life.
“The kids saw experiments and got good information about weather safety,” Duff said. “They shot off rockets using air pressure, demonstrated how tornadoes are formed, and talked about where it’s safe to be during thunderstorms.”
While students connected directly to their curriculum, they also learned how to conduct themselves when representing their school during field trips. It was the first experience in downtown Detroit for most students, and for some, the trip included their first ride on a bus.
Duff, fellow fourth-grade teacher Nichelle Hadley, and fifth-grade teachers Rebecca Wilkie and Krysta Kreyger said students leaned on Moral Focus™ virtues such as integrity and self-control while at Comerica Park. The teachers said effective communication was another key to a successful day.
Getting to experience a Tigers game was a special experience for students, something many of them wouldn’t have the chance to do outside of unique opportunities like this one. While the group was in Detroit, teachers showed off city landmarks and educated students about Detroit’s prominence and history.
Hadley said seeing the city in action was beneficial for students.
“They got to learn more about the city they live in,” Hadley said. “We were across the street from Ford Field and got to show them where Little Caesers Arena and the Renaissance Center were. That was an important part of our trip, too.”
Smiles went from ear to ear as students enjoyed the day full of learning and fun. The sun was out and gave everyone a glimpse of the summer months ahead. Duff said the group was able to enjoy the day, thanks in large part to the parent chaperones.
“We had so much parent support, and that really made a difference,” Duff said. “Chaperones took kids to the Ferris wheel and were able to show them all of Comerica Park, which was really special.”
What an amazing experience! Keep up the great work, Duff, Hadley, Wilkie, Kreyger, and all of Prevail!
About Prevail Academy
Prevail Academy is a tuition-free, public charter school in Mount Clemens, Michigan, serving students in kindergarten through eighth grade. It is part of the National Heritage Academies (NHA®) network, which includes more than 100 tuition-free, public charter schools serving more than 65,000 students in kindergarten through high school across nine states. For more information, visit nhaschools.com.
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