MAMMOTH MIDDLE SCHOOL 8TH GRADE TRIP - MUSEUM OF TOLERANCE
by Lora Wehsener
The 8th grade trip at Mammoth Middle School is not about going on a posh vacation, taking in the sights and frivolously spending money for entertainment. It is a thoughtful trip - one that teaches the students about the importance of learning. Learning about the beliefs of others, learning about different customs and traditions different from what they were raised with, and learning to become tolerant and kind to others, regardless of one's beliefs. The trip is about expanding young minds, getting students out of their comfort zones and teaching them to embrace an ever evolving world that stretches well beyond the borders of Mammoth Lakes proper. For many of the students, this is their first time outside of the small community of Mammoth, with a population of 7,000, where they have grown up and seen little beyond. For many of the students, they have not stayed in a hotel nor ventured to exclusive museums seeing art created by world renown artists. For many of the students they have not met victims of intolerance on a world wide stage nor discovered a passion for science that they might not have otherwise realized.
The Mammoth Middle School 8th Grade trip is about learning and expanding one's mind and beliefs. About becoming a better person. About making a difference in a world that can use some kindness. Mammoth Middle School’s 8th grade trip is the trip of a lifetime and we are so thankful to be a part of helping these youth to participate in this life changing trip.
Bryan O’Neal, Mammoth Middle School 8th grade science teacher put together this trip and we were fortunate to hear first hand from him about the trip.
1. Tell us about the Manzanar Trip for the 8th grade students of Mammoth Middle School.
The Manzanar Trip is only a small part of our experience on this amazing trip. I will overview the entire trip to make it meaningful. To begin, this is a 2 ½ day trip to Los Angeles with our highlight destination being the Museum of Tolerance. We also visit the Getty Museum, the California Science Center, and Manzanar National Historic Site. We stay in a 3-star hotel with a pool and provide lifeguards for 2 nights of pool parties. The food is delivered and we eat together in the meeting/dining room of the hotel. The Museum of Tolerance was founded by a Jewish Holocaust survivor named Simon Wiesenthal so that society will, hopefully, never forget the cost of allowing hatred to determine political policy. It is an extremely meaningful and unforgettable experience. Our visit to the Getty allows our students to experience art from different times and places. This connects history, culture, and art in one place. We go to the California Science Center to have an experiential and science-driven opportunity to apply real-world STEM learning. On our way home, we stop at Manzanar National Historic Site to give a little connection to the Museum of Tolerance with our own community and history.
2. What is the population that you serve and how many youth were able to experience this trip?
Our trip is 8th-grade only, and all students are given the opportunity to attend this trip. Unfortunately, some students don’t want to join this trip, and other students make choices throughout the school year that disallow them to participate. The number of 8th-graders who do not attend is low. Last year, over 60 students attended, and this year, there will be around 75-85 students who attend. Our student body is majority Hispanic (59%), and we have over 50% of our student body that qualify for free or reduced lunch (which means that traveling is not usually a priority for these students).
3. What life changing experiences did these youth gain?
These youth gain many life skills. First, they learn tolerance and acceptance of other lifestyles and religions. Second, they learn how to behave in an urban environment, which many are experiencing for the first time. Third, they become aware of the vast resources and learning opportunities that are available to them if they travel away from Mammoth Lakes. Another experience is being responsible and showing respect in a place far away from their parents and caretakers. Since I have been a part of this trip, I have seen almost all of the students show growth emotionally after this trip, and we have heard from the Museum Docents (at all the museums) about the amazing behavior and engaging questions our students have displayed during our visits. I don't want to take credit for student decisions, but last year's Mammoth High School valedictorian is now studying Physics at UCSD. I would like to think that the exposure to this trip helps these students realize what excites them and what they want to do with their lives after High School.
4. Are there any moments in particular that stood out to you?
I am always so impressed with how mature these youth are when they are in such a different environment. The students connect so well with the art of the Getty, the exhibits of the California Science Center, and the tour of the Museum of Tolerance. What amazes me the most is how much they understand the lessons of the Museum of Tolerance. After our visit, and then after dinner and swimming, we discuss with our students what they felt after visiting the Museum of Tolerance. The connections they make with current events, historical events, and personal experiences are beyond belief. It makes me proud to be an 8th-grade teacher.
5. What is the variety of educational experiences on this trip that the students draw from?
The students draw from experiences they have had in all of their classes. They experience how to communicate in ways they practice in English Class, and they have experiences from learning about Renaissance history, medieval history, all the way through current events. They use their experiences in science class, art classes, and even PE (there is an exhibit at the California Science Center where they dabble with many different sports). This trip is very applicable to what they have learned at school over their past eight years.
6. Are there any experiences and education that they gain from this trip that they might otherwise not have?
This trip takes these students to an urban center in one of the most populated cities in the nation. Some of our students have never left Mammoth Lakes, and some have never visited an urban metropolis as big as Los Angeles. This trip also takes our students to some of the best museums available in Los Angeles, and takes them to a local historical site that many of their parents have not visited (the Manzanar National Historic Site). Although some of the students are not enthralled by all of our destinations, they gain an appreciation for them that they will have for future visits. Our hope to educate the students about the amazing learning and experiential possibilities that visiting museums and institutions can provide them.
7. Were there meaningful discussion points from the trip experiences and in what way did the students personally grow from being a part of this experience?
YES! Aside from our whole group discussions in the dining hall, the chaperones do a great job of asking questions of their students about the experiences they had. The discussions happen spontaneously, and they are directed. They are so excited to talk about what they experienced with each other and with the teachers and chaperones on our trip. It is often a topic that is mentioned during speeches at 8th-grade promotion as well. The students grow by including this trip in their personal stories and gain a better understanding of how they can travel to different places to gain more knowledge about the world around them.
8. Is there anything that you would like to convey to our donors?
Thank you so much from the entire staff at Mammoth Unified School District. This trip is something that our student body looks forward to for a long time and then reflects on for years afterward. Providing these students with the opportunity to travel without the need to contribute financially takes away added stress and worry. Your dedication to our community is essential to keeping a strong and vibrant citizenry. I would like to extend an invitation to a donor who might feel a desire to join us on this trip. If you want a first-hand experience, please contact me at bneale@mammothusd.org.