TMS students visit Denver

May 8-10, 46 fifth grade Thermopolis Middle School students took an end-of-year fun trip to Denver.

Teacher Katie Despain said the group gets to go to the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, attend a Rockies Game and take part in an overnight “Bunk with the Beasts” in the education center at the Denver Zoo. They also stop at the Cheyenne Judicial Center before coming home.

Despain further noted during the Bunk with the Beasts animals are brought in for the students to see up close and touch, such as a crow, an owl and turtles. They also get a behind-the-scenes look at the operation of the zoo.

Because the Rockies games are on a set schedule, Despain and teacher Becca Nelson said they have to work around that schedule when planning the trip.

As for the Cheyenne Judicial Center, students get to check out the law library and watch a video about how the law works within the judicial branch. Nelson said they also check out the museum at the center and the Supreme Court presents on how they decide on cases.

Leading up to various activities on the trip, students are also tying in their classroom learning. They learn about the justice system in Social Studies, then see our local courtrooms. On the animal side, they learn about predator and prey interactions and adaptations.

This is a big trip for the students, the teachers said, as it’s a lot of fun and gives them some experiences they might not have, such as going to a zoo or going on an escalator for the first time.

Dallyn Griffin said he really liked the zoo, so they could talk about animals, and he also learned just how smart the African Raven is, although it’s also a bit naughty, stealing crumbs and pecking at shoelaces.

Mercede Martinez said her absolute favorite part of the trip was the Rockies game, as one of the stadium staff said the students were one of his favorite groups. She also enjoyed the zoo and watching as an owl flew over their heads.