Boston Archives - The Geneva School

Home Stretch

May 17, 2019

We started our day this morning with a visit to the Boston Public Market. This was a change of plan due to rain this morning, but everyone agreed it was a great place to visit. The Boston Public Market has a diverse array of local artisans – students ate yummy crepes and donuts, sampled teas and coffees, had kumbacha, crème soda, pretzels, ramen and more! It was a great time and the students all enjoyed it.

From the Public Market, we journeyed by train to the Museum of Fine Arts. Here we divided into groups and explored the diverse artwork and artifacts of the museum. We saw Monet, Greco-Roman artifacts and coins, mummified Egyptians, Ancient Near Eastern reliefs, and much more.

After lunch at the Fine Arts Museum, we split groups to explore the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum and the MIT Science Workshop for the opposite groups as yesterday. At the Isabella Stewart Gardener Museum, students learned how the museum came about, saw an eclectic collection of artwork and a beautiful courtyard. Students enjoyed the beauty of the museum. At the MIT Science Workshop, students were challenged to build a bridge across plastic cups that would hold 200 grams at the center. They were given newspaper and tape. It was great to see them put their math and science knowledge into practice. After they experimented with the bridge, they designed cables for a suspension bridge which were 3-D printed and they determined how much weight their bridge would hold. The students really enjoyed the workshop!

We then journeyed by train and bus back to the airport for our return flight home. We have gotten dinner and are waiting to board our flight. Everyone will be happy to be home and sleep in their own beds tonight.

Our stats for the week: We totaled over 72,000 steps, 100 flights of stairs, and almost 30 miles!

by Janet Andreasen, parent blogger

Trading Places

May 16, 2019

We had a little later start this morning which was appreciated by everyone! We started the morning with a walk through Boston Gardens on our way back to Harvard. The groups went to the opposite museum of yesterday. On our way there, we explored a little bit of the beautiful Harvard campus.

When we finished at the museums, we traveled to Mr. Bartley’s Gourmet Burgers – a famous burger place in Harvard Square. The burgers were great, and the students enjoyed the meal tremendously. When we were done with lunch, we separated into two new groups to explore new locations – the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum and the MIT Science Workshop. The groups will again flip tomorrow for the students to explore the opposite location. More information on those sites tomorrow!

We re-visited the Quincy Market for some souvenir shopping and then had dinner at different international dining options – Greek, Indian, Malaysian, Chinese, and such. We are turning in earlier tonight prepared for one more day of exploring Boston and then flying home tomorrow night. Everyone has had a great time.

by Janet Andreasen, parent blogger

Artifacts, History, and America’s Pastime

May 15, 2019

After a late night last night at the Boston Pops, we journeyed out early this morning to visit the USS Constitution. We took a ferry across the Boston Harbor which was a beautiful, but chilly voyage. The USS Constitution was an amazing ship, and we had a great tour guide. We learned about the ship’s history, why it was called Old Ironsides, how it was created, what wood was used (there was a Florida connection there!), and all about its battles and life on board. Ask an 8th grader what they learned. We saw four different decks of the ship climbing through ladder wells to get between the floors. Some of us could walk without ducking, but not many…

After our tour of the USS Constitution, some of the students conquered Bunker Hill – all 300 steps! We walked across a pedestrian bridge to the North side of Boston for an amazing lunch at La Famiglia Giorgios. After this, we journeyed by train to Harvard. The campus is beautiful! Half of the students explored the Harvard Art Museum while the other half explored the Harvard Museum of Natural History. Highlights of those tours included examining artifacts with Dr. Reid including a canopic jar and coins (the coins were a favorite) as well as exploring the artwork in the museum which included Monet, Van Gogh, and Degas just to name a few. The Museum of Natural History included interesting rocks and a whole room of flowers made from glass. Tomorrow, we will return to Harvard and the groups will switch places to explore the other museum.

We finished our night with America’s Pastime – a Red Sox game at Fenway Park! It was a fantastic game that went to a 10th inning with a thrilling 6-5 victory by the Red Sox. Students experienced baseball dining with lots of hot dogs, hamburgers, pretzels, and, of course, peanuts, and Cracker Jacks!

by Janet Andreasen, parent blogger

Cars, Planes, Buses, and Trains, Oh My!

May 14, 2019

Our journey started bright and early at the Orlando International Airport. Students arrived at 5 am(!), and we proceeded quickly through security. Everyone was excited to be there, although tired, too. For many of us, this wasn’t our first plane ride – 20 of us have traveled by plane to destinations more than seven hours away! But for two students, this was a new experience for them.

We traveled over 1120 miles, and the temperature dropped 30 degrees between Orlando and Boston. We landed in Boston shortly before 10 am, and the adventure began. We have been going non-stop ever since.

We have experienced multiple train rides all around the city and have learned some interesting facts about people in history and the city of Boston. We have climbed lots of stairs (32 flights), walked up and down hills (9.5 miles), and explored the Quincy Market, New State House, Boston Commons, the Skytower Observatory, and the Boston Public Library.

We learned some interesting facts including where the saying, “it costs an arm and a leg” comes from – you should ask an 8th grader after they get back to explain it! We learned about the sacred cod, the holy mackerel, and the pine cone on top of the state house. We were able to see beautiful and huge views of the city from the Observatory and learned all about the Boston Public Library.

We finished our day with a pizza dinner at the hostel and the Boston Pops where we saw Star Wars with the Boston Pops accompanying the movie. This was definitely a highlight of the day! Students also enjoyed the variety of food at the Quincy Market and the tours at the state house and the public library.

by Janet Andreasen, parent blogger

And the Cannoli Was Amazing

May 14, 2018

As our trip comes to a close, there is much to reflect on. The weather was near perfection, ranging from 50-72 degrees with no rain. We had great favor regarding the T (subway). Most of the time, as we were arriving to the platform, a train would pull right up! Every meal had a unique feel, from lobster rolls at the hostel to choosing a local ethnic experience.

Our students got very good at traveling on mass transit. We walked a sum of 32 miles, so our legs are strong (some a little sore), plus we could justify eating all the yummy food. Our kids get along…surprisingly well. Many relationships were deepened and horizons expanded.

We have new perspectives of beauty through art. We saw (and even touched) coins older than the time of Jesus. Our students have a greater sense of awareness regarding their surroundings and being alert on sidewalks. Only one wheelchair was used in only one museum, and only three train cards were misplaced.

When asked about my favorite part of the trip, it is hard to choose one. It definitely falls into the category of ‘the sum of the parts is greater than the whole’. Each individual activity, meal, conversation, or transportation experience was excellent, and every one added to the cumulative experience making for what Dr. Clark called ‘a touchstone memory’. Our capstone experience today was Mike’s Pastry…and the cannoli was amazing!

by Melissa Paul, parent blogger

Faith Expressed Through History and Art

May 11, 2018

Boston is an amazing place to explore Christianity through history and art. We began our third day with the Harvard Museum of Natural History where we found way more than just bones of creatures from long ago. This museum has one of a kind specimens (think deer the size of a bunny), a skeleton of a water dinosaur longer than seven of our students lying head to toe, cases and cases of glass replicas of plants created to help researchers study plant life, and much, much more. These exhibits prompted questions by our students (Mr. Clark was our guide through these muddy waters) about evolution theories and other important topics.

The questions (yes, more questions) led to several great discussions. While they could (and probably do) have these types of discussions at school, somehow the fact that so much time, energy and expense was given over so many years to express Christian themes give perspective and make it real. At the art exhibit they experienced pieces by Monet, Renoir, Degas and Cezanne. Between all of the museums we have seen so far, the students have noticed a strong focus on Christianity and themes of faith. There are so many different ways to depict Mary and baby Jesus, but all of them cumulatively in one trip express the importance of the subject to artists of many different centuries.

Speaking of Harvard, our Harvard graduate chaperone gave us the inside scoop – the iconic statue with ‘Veritas’ (truth) written on the side is known by Harvard students as the statue of lies. In case you like trivia: the year is off by two, the statue is of a stand-in student, and the name listed is not actually the founder, he is really the first benefactor.

Trinity Church was beautiful…and filled with faith based art. The students had plenty of time to view and explore the church, then we were off to see the city from 50 floors up. The view was a highlight for many students, especially because you could walk all the way around and see the city from every angle. Talk about perspective. It was just beautiful, with buildings old and new, a smattering of sailboats, beautiful bridges and wonderful teenagers!

by Melissa Paul, parent blogger

Morning Colors, So Many Questions and Andy Grammer

May 10, 2018

Not much beats a beautiful morning ferry ride to a private tour of the USS Constitution. We weren’t exactly sure what to expect when the tour guide told us to cover our ears. Turns out, we were in for an unexpected privilege…we had arrived in time for the 8 am morning “Colors”. The canon was shot, (photo anthems played and servicemen honored. Silence ensued until we got the “All Clear”.

All of our tour guides have been educational and entertaining. Also very patient. We have so many questions! Our crew has an amazing ability to pick up on an interesting fact and explore it to the limits of the tour guide’s either knowledge, patience level, or time.

At the end of each section of a tour, about 20 questions are asked, each leading to another interesting fact…then another question! Speaking of questions, when the tour guide on the ship asked if anyone in our group knew what Kedging was, I think he was genuinely surprised that one of our crew could explain the act of dropping anchor, then pulling toward it to be able to move a sailboat without wind.

It was an extremely full day including visits to the Bunker Hill Monument, lunch in the park, the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, then capping it all off with Andy Grammer in concert with the Boston Pops.

You might think with the travel schedule these kids have been keeping that they would be sleepy in an orchestra concert. Not so! Andy Grammer brought the house down on opening night of the 133^rd season of the Boston Pops. The kids were singing and dancing right along with the music, making for a very fun ending to a big day.

by Melissa Paul, parent blogger

Eighth Grade Dominoes and Finding Beauty

May 8, 2018

And the Eighth Graders fall like dominoes! No, they are not sick. Yes, we all made it to Boston and are safe. The falling came in during our first subway ride. The plane trip, no problem; bus ride, seamless (even with much luggage); but when we were safely tucked away in that first subway car and it lurched forward…each surprised student tipped back just far enough to tip the person behind them. It all happened very fast, the chain reaction of unprepared Floridian teens continued in just a few seconds all the way to the end until the last of our group was gently supported by the local seated at the back of the subway car who saw it all coming.

Springtime in Boston is full of beauty. Today our crew enjoyed lots of public transportation, an amazing lunch, a tour of the New State House and several open green spaces. A highlight of the day was an hour at Garden Park.

While it’s a big city, the contrast of the tall, modern buildings and shorter, older brick buildings provides such beautiful scenery. The foliage is in full bloom, dogwoods displaying their blossoms, tulips lining the park, monuments and statues everywhere we turned, even the cemeteries are beautiful.

The most beauty, though, was displayed in the relationships that shone through the day. Friends shared a bag, taking turns carrying it. Girls walked arm in arm across the busy streets. A kick line may or may not have erupted in the midst of the beautiful park. What a joy it is to witness such sweet beautiful students caring for each other in their newly expanded world!

by Melissa Paul, parent blogger

Inspiring students to love beauty, think deeply, and pursue Christ's calling.

Tag: Boston

Home Stretch

May 17, 2019

Trading Places

May 16, 2019

Artifacts, History, and America’s Pastime

May 15, 2019

Cars, Planes, Buses, and Trains, Oh My!

May 14, 2019

And the Cannoli Was Amazing

May 14, 2018

Faith Expressed Through History and Art

May 11, 2018

Morning Colors, So Many Questions and Andy Grammer

May 10, 2018

Eighth Grade Dominoes and Finding Beauty

May 8, 2018

Recent Stories from Geneva's Blog

Have Questions About TGS?