George H.W. Bush GT Fair

The students representing the Gifted and Talented Program at George H.W. Bush Elementary have been preparing research projects for display at the PTA meeting on Thursday, May 17th.  Lane Duncan has selected 'geodes' as his topic of research.  Lane began searching for and collecting samples of geodes while on excursions with Richard Duncan, of the Clara Foster Slough Museum.  Over the past couple of years, Lane has discovered geodes, fossils, and sharks teeth in the river bed of the North Sulphur River.  Using the geode as the subject of his project, will allow many students the opportunity to see geodes up close, and understand a little about the formation of geodes.  The research exhibit, along with Lane's collection of fossils and sharks teeth, will be placed in the Clara Foster Slough Museum in Enloe, Texas, after the Gifted and Talented Fair viewing.

Lane Duncan and GT Coordinator Carolina Pineiro, checking out the North Sulphur River geodes exhibit at the George Herbert Walker Bush Elementary Gifted and Talented Fair.

Other exhibits featured research topics such as the manufacturing of cheese, a study of volcanoes, planets and black holes, dinosaurs, penguins, wolves and even studies on the mythical chupacabra and werewolves !
Ms. Pineiro allowed the students to really use their imaginations in their research projects, which kept the interest level extremely high and certainly maximized the fun in the projects !  Great job Ms. Pineiro and all of the Bush Elementary G.T. students !

Antique Engine Show in Canton Texas

Patriot Engineering Team member, Lane Duncan, recently spent the day at the Texas Antique Tractor Show in Canton, Texas.  The show featured antique tractors and engines on display.  Many machines were on hand for demonstrations, showcasing engines and tractors from the 1930's and 1940's.  It was a great show, with most of the exhibitors providing very interesting information on the engines and tractors on display.

Lane has an engine, which he hopes to have operational for a display at the show for next year !  More details on his engine build this summer !

FIRST LEGO League - Regional Championship Tournament

The Patriot Engineering Team presented a display of a working model of a grist mill, as part of the Jr. FIRST LEGO League 'Snack Attack' program. The exhibit was part of the FLL Regional Championship Tournament, held at Hockaday on January 21. Many fellow FLL competitors and fans stopped by to view the exhibit, and view the demonstrations of the grist mill operation. Throughout the day, the PET members also mingled with fellow engineers, and learned a little about robotics.

George H.W. Bush Elementary student Lane Duncan prepares the Patriot Engineering Team display.

George H.W. Bush Elementary First LEGO League Jr. display.

Patriot Engineering Team member Lane Duncan, with R2D2.

George H.W. Bush students learn robotics at the FLL Regional LEGO  competition.

George H.W. Bush Elementary students enjoyed learning about robotics at the  FLL  competition at Hockaday.

Chuck Wagon Cooking at Gadston Farm Museum

After shelling and milling our corn at the Slabtown Mill, it was time to enjoy the fruits of our labor. So, we unloaded a Dutch oven from the chuckwagon, and whipped up a breakfast of biscuits, pancakes, and eggs ! It takes a little longer than the microwave or instant mixes, but the time and effort is certainly worth it !!