Week Three of Carver’s Summer Transition Program at West Rocks Middle School gave rising sixth graders new ways to strategize, create, collaborate, and explore, all while continuing to build friendships and become comfortable in their future school community.
Led by longtime Carver educator Michael Richards, the Summer Transition Program helps rising sixth graders enter West Rocks with greater confidence, stronger peer relationships, and an eagerness to embrace new academic challenges.
Rolling Video Games of New England brought the excitement of mobile laser tag directly to West Rocks. With tactical equipment and pop-up barriers transforming the grounds into a lively playing field, students worked in teams, planned their moves, and enjoyed some friendly competition. The fast-paced experience encouraged communication and cooperation while giving everyone an energetic way to connect with new classmates.
When Tuesday brought a torrential rainstorm, the students and staff demonstrated the adaptability that is central to a successful summer program. West Rocks Digital Literacy Coach Sara Golding moved the fun indoors and led students in a colorful tie-dye activity. Each student experimented with patterns and color combinations to create a unique design, and the storm became an opportunity for creativity rather than an interruption.
On Thursday, the Connecticut Invention Convention challenged students to think like inventors. Working in pairs, students received two seemingly unrelated items—such as an umbrella and a pocket, a backpack and a pillow, or sneakers and a towel—and were asked to combine them into an original invention. Each team had to identify a potential purpose, exchange ideas, develop a plan, and create a design.
The activity introduced students to the imaginative, real-world problem-solving at the heart of the Connecticut Invention Convention. Rather than following instructions to assemble a predetermined project, students had to generate their own ideas and turn them into something new. Along the way, they practiced the critical thinking, communication, and collaboration skills that will serve them well throughout middle school.
Mad Science added even more STEM discovery to the week. Led by student favorite Ms. Galaxy, the session explored chemical reactions, including the differences between endothermic reactions, which absorb heat, and exothermic reactions, which release it. Through engaging demonstrations and hands-on learning, students encountered scientific concepts in a memorable and accessible way. Every student also left with a gift bag courtesy of Mad Science.
From navigating a laser tag course and responding creatively to a sudden storm to inventing new products and investigating chemical reactions, Week Three offered an exciting balance of recreation, artistic expression, teamwork, and STEM learning. Most importantly, every experience helped students strengthen relationships, build confidence, and feel increasingly at home at West Rocks before their first day of sixth grade.
