Clifton Ridge Middle School held its Great Math and Science Night, a Title I event for Cougar families to learn about Georgia Milestones testing strategies, engage in hands-on math and science activities, and participate in the school book fair.
The event was a collaborative effort among many Clifton Ridge educators who teamed up to present essential information about the Georgia Milestones assessment to students and parents in the school cafeteria and offer support.
Educators also set up tables in the gym with interactive STEM activities and provided families with informative and enjoyable experiences that enhanced their understanding of classroom material.
Many commented on the success of the event.
English Teacher Haley Underwood discussed the Georgia Milestones information session.
“Our GMAS presentation provides tips and tricks for testing, helping students have personalized support, feel motivated and appreciated, and it encourages parent involvement,” she said.
Band Teacher Lori Johnson elaborated on the community aspect of the event.
“Opening our doors to families uniquely connects home and school. Collaboration helps build community. We love that,” she said.
Connections Teacher Katie Moughon emphasized the school’s excitement to host events that inspire community-building.
“It is always great to open our doors and welcome the community, bringing students, parents, and teachers together to explore math and science,” she said.
Other educators explained how the interactive activities promoted deeper engagement with the classroom curriculum for both students and parent participants.
Science Teacher Charlie Wilkerson discussed the functions of his table, where students interacted with a Tesla coil.
“This station demonstrates the concept of electromagnetic induction.
We can change the height, amplitude, and frequency, reminding us of what we have learned in the classroom about waves. It connects a real-world example to what we have learned in class,” Wilkerson said.
“The Red Cup Challenge” with Science Teacher Allison Oiler and Paraprofessional LaShawn Garey allowed families to practice engineering skills by stacking six red solo cups into various structures using only yarn threads.
Science Teacher Rylee Harrison handled the “Build a Biome” station, where students turned recycled bottles into ecosystems by growing flowers inside.
‘We have done this project for the past three years. It is my favorite one, and we always have a great turnout. Math and science can be difficult, but this event makes it fun. We even have a decomposer worm component to help with our ecosystems,” Harrison said.
She added that she believes interactive activities are incredibly beneficial for students.
“It gets them engaged, giving us more time outside the classroom to do fun assignments on a larger scale,” she said.
A station with Math Teacher Paula Smith allowed families to earn treats by determining the circumference and diameter of cookies.
‘It is wonderful for students and parents to come together and sample the activities we do in class to prepare for the Georgia Milestones. Siblings can have fun working together, while parents see what they normally do not while enjoying discussing our classroom standards,” Smith said.
Math Teacher Kelli Ward emphasized that the event is vital for building lines of communication between school and home.
The “Geoboard Station,” run by PEC Teacher Jasmayne Scales, allowed families to create coordinate pairs by forming various shapes, calculating each shapes perimeter, and reviewing how to graph these shapes.
“It is beneficial when parents see how offering hands-on activities to students helps them grasp and learn classroom material more effectively. One parent shared with me that it helped her daughter, and she wants to order a board for her to use at home,” Scales said.
FFA students hosted a table where families could participate in making butter.
Student Kinsley Newby explained how the process worked.
“At our station, we churn heavy whipping cream to make butter. You grab the container with the ingredients and shake it for five to seven minutes,” she said.
Student Dasia Dry shared her thoughts on the experience.
“It is really fun and a very helpful event. It lets our parents see what we are doing in class,” she said.
Tanisha Johnson, a representative from Georgia Powrer, also attended the event to talk about energy efficiency and the career opportunities available with the company. She provided students with valuable information and connections.
Parent Jennifer Woodson reflected on the Great Math and Science Night.
“The event is very inforso parents can schedule their lives around it. Plus, my son really wanted to come to participate in the activities, so it is a win-win,” she said.
