Story by: Nancy Bonds, Director of Communications 

Sixth graders from Cedar Bayou Junior School recently took learning beyond the classroom during a “Bear Takeover” of Galveston, Texas, where they explored the wetlands through a hands-on kayak field experience. This exciting opportunity was made possible through a grant awarded to Artist Boat, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting awareness and preservation of coastal and marine environments through science and art.

Through this partnership, the Goose Creek CISD Science Department and Artist Boat provided every sixth-grade student at Cedar Bayou Junior School with a comprehensive learning experience that combined conservation, marine science, and art education. The program included a four-hour kayak field trip on Galveston Bay, along with fifteen hours of interactive workshops and presentations held on campus.

“Artist Boat has provided our students with an incredible opportunity to study and understand science in the field. The students’ understanding of coastal marine conservation will be so much richer through this experience; it is a fantastic opportunity for GCCISD sixth-grade students,” said Emilie Olivier, GCCISD Associate Director of Science and Health.

As representatives of both their school and the Baytown community, students embraced the adventure with enthusiasm, observing wildlife and engaging in meaningful discussions about protecting local ecosystems.

The GCCISD Career & Technical Education (CTE) Department, through an ExxonMobil grant, also provided support for the buses to facilitate the field trips, making this a collaborative effort that ensures every student can participate in the experience.

The partnership with Artist Boat, the Science Department, and the CTE Department highlights Goose Creek CISD’s commitment to providing unique, hands-on learning experiences that inspire curiosity and environmental responsibility.