Sophomore Experiential Week day 5: Project pitches! By Mrs. Couch

 The class of 2025 River Fellows pitched their projects to a small, supportive audience. The pitches were impressive and a testament to all the hard work (paired with some fun and silliness) that took place during the week. 

Below is a link to view the video pitches: 

link to project pitch videos 

Sophomore experiential week- Day 4: Ideas flowing in TNACI conference room, by Blythe L.

 On Thursday, the River Fellows took their ideas to the conference center at the Tennessee Aquarium Conservation Institute (TNACI).

Here we continued to develop our ideas, enjoying the view of the river that our projects were linked to. For a break in between bouts of brainstorming, we played a few fun rounds of Ninja. The ideas were flowing just as surely as the river outside our window!

Sophomore River Fellows Experiential week- Day 3: Project development work by Mabry C.

 On Wednesday, the sophomore river fellows stayed at GPS to further develop their project work. They began by sharing their current ideas with the group and presenting their thoughts to everyone. After that, they began to work on developing a “customer” that their project would help. Although the customers were not based on real people, their problems were issues that many people could potentially face. And their projects are going to hopefully be the customers’ solutions!! Through using structured templates, the river fellows narrowed down their project to an attainable, yet effective solution that could solve their customer’s problem. By the end of the day, they felt much better about their project and its purpose. 

Sophomore River Fellows experiential week Day 2: Stormy day plans by Kendall O.

 Project ideas are brewing at the coffee shop!! Due to inclement weather the river fellows plan to the raft Hiwassee was cancelled :( 

We practiced our pitch skills by pitching the idea of going to a coffee shop for the afternoon. It was a success and we went to culture coffee to work on our projects! Although plans were changed, we still had a lot of fun and let's just say a lot of singing took place 🎤 . 

Sophomore Experiential week- Day 1: Ocoee by Ella Beth W.

 

The Sophomore River Fellows' week was off to a rapid start! On Monday river fellows began their week with some project planning at GPS before loading the bus to the Ocoee!

The nerves were high as they approached the river, and then they were off! With the teachers in one raft and the girls in another, they made their way down the rapids. Many screams and splashes later, everyone returned to the cabin ready to tell the stories of their brave adventures.

The day wrapped up with dinner at the famous dam deli and diner, where they all enjoyed a large serving of blackberry cobbler and vanilla ice cream! Above we have some of our favorite photos from the day, including Blythe and Mr. Haynes riding the bull!