Recently, eighth graders from Parkway West Middle School's Gifted program visited the White House Policy Center at the Truman Library in Independence, Missouri. The library is a long way from their hometown of St. Louis, so the teens had to catch their charter bus early on Friday, November 8. “It was strange being at school before everyone else! » student Betsy Wait said with a laugh during the interview. Along the way, the students ate lunch and then ran the Truman Library simulation for about four hours. Ms. Carter, the program's instructor who is very dedicated to her students, said that “the kids were on the sidelines. By the time they arrived at West Middle, it was almost 10 p.m.! Long and demanding, the field trip consisted of an expedition that took students to the remarkably historic Truman Library, dedicated to President Harry S. Truman of the 1950s. The field trip to the Truman Library was necessary to synthesize all that gifted 14-year-olds had learned, and it was also done as part of a long-standing tradition for West's MOSAICS program. Because Parkway's gifted teachers can select enrichment activities for their students, the White House Policy Center program is one of Ms. Carter's favorites. “We have been going to the Truman Library for many years now and the students always learn a lot. » Like a “Game Day”, the trip also made it possible to put into a real situation what the eighth grade students had been working on for more than a month. “We learned about the Korean conflict, held discussions and problem-solving scenarios, and wrote an essay,” Paul Krauss said. The students, like many classes before them, used their trip to the White House Policy Center to reenact Truman's K briefings...... middle of paper ...... some future plans inspired by travel. For starters, instructor Donna Carter will most likely return next year. “There’s no reason not to!” she exclaims, “Travel is always a student favorite. » The students were also moved by this experience. “I think I might come back with my family one day. There was an interesting museum next to it,” said Solomi Inje. Other students express increased interest in government positions. “Work like the one I did during the trip would be very interesting and intense,” said Ronny Fields. In the end, West Middle MOSAICS definitely recommends the White House Policy Center and Truman Library to everyone. For more information, visit www.trumanlibrary.org. In a moment of reflection during the trip, student Laura Wetzel said, “It’s never a bad time to learn something new! Parkway West Middle students all agree.