Mentor Program Visits Atlanta
The Jasper County Mentor Program took two busloads of mentored students to Atlanta on Saturday as part of their Science, Technology, Engineering and Math educational focus.
This trip was funded in large part by a grant from the Tri-County EMC Operation Round Up.
Starting with a visit to the Maker Faire in downtown Decatur, the students were able to explore the festival, including tables on how to make paper, Chinese calligraphy, do-it-yourself bicycles, 3D printing and numerous gadgets.
“I particularly enjoyed the Maker Faire,” said mentor Laura Waggoner. Many of the mentors who chaperoned on the trip plan on returning so they can spend more time there in the future.
From the Maker Faire, the group headed over to Sapori di Napoli, an authentic southern Italian restaurant where the students enjoyed fried macaroni and cheese as an appetizer and pizza with buffalo mozzarella.
After lunch, the students left Decatur and were met by local engineer and Georgia Tech alumna Betty Jean Jordan at Tech Tower. Ms. Jordan arranged for the group to enjoy a campus tour with Georgia Tech Ambassadors and student tour leaders Connor and Joe.
The student tour leaders did a great job of giving a broad overview of Georgia Tech and also showed them the Clough Undergraduate Learning Commons, a building that has LEED platinum certification.
The last stop of the day was the Georgia Aquarium. Everyone was able to tour the facility in small groups, and they also watched the Dolphin Tales show.
“I am so grateful for everyone who helped to make this field trip a success, and I particularly want to express by thanks to the high school gifted students who helped younger students learn more about STEM fields,” said Jehan El-Jourbagy, the director of the mentor program.
Chaperones on the trip included mentors Sheri Guli, Lin Moist, Rufus Whitlock, who was joined by his wife Stacy Whitlock and child RJ Whitlock, Lisa Cronan, Morad El-Jourbagy, Laura Waggoner, Jim Burch, Richard Mix, Sherry Barnett, Adrienne Forchilli, Dawn Johnston and Warrdean Davis.
The group was also joined by Jasper County High School gifted students Tristan Armstrong, Jacob Bell, Emmi Wade, Taylor Edwards and Cori Griggs, who also served as chaperones. Finally, the group was also led by JCHS teachers Christie McAlum and Tyson Harty.
This trip was also supported by the Jasper County School System and through donations from the Bank of Monticello and the Shady Dale Rodeo. Thanks to Ingles and Earth Fare of Athens, the students had plenty of waters and healthy snacks on the bus.