The Milton Foundation For Education (MFE) would like to gratefully acknowledge Sam Cichello’s Memorial Fund for sponsoring this year’s classroom programs and field trips for students in Grades 3, 4 and 5.

Sam’s Fund was created in 1999 in memory of Sam Cichello, a Tucker Elementary School student who died tragically following a playground accident. To honor Sam’s passion and curiosity for science, the Cichello family, in collaboration with the MFE, organizes the Monster Dash every October. The Monster Dash is a family oriented, community event that honors Sam’s memory and helps raise money for Sam’s Fund. All proceeds of the Monster Dash support science enrichment in Milton’s four elementary schools.

This year, Sam’s Fund sponsored the following programs for all Milton elementary school students: Grade 3 Trailside Museum Owl Talks, Grade 4 Blue Hills Landform Hike and Grade 5 Boston Harbor Ocean Trip. Please see below for a description of these wonderful learning experiences as well as some photographs taken during this year’s field trips.

Thank you to Sam and the Cichello family for touching the lives of Milton’s elementary school children in these very special and memorable ways!

If you are interested in learning more about Sam’s Fund and the Monster Dash, please visit www.miltonfoundationforeducation.org or email denisequeally@comcast.net. This year’s Monster Dash will be held at Cunningham Park on Sunday, October 27, 2013.

Grade 3 Owl Talks

This past March, naturalists visited each 3rd grade class from the Blue Hills Trailside Museum. Collections of both live and stuffed owls were presented to the students. The owl talks are a key part of an owl pellet dissection that the children participate in as part of the science curriculum. Both the talks and owl pellet materials are provided by Sam’s Fund.

Grade 4 Landforms Hike

In June, each 4th grade classroom hiked up the Blue Hills with a Trailside naturalist. The hike was designed to showcase the landforms that the students have studied in both the 4th grade science and social studies curricula. Pre- and post-hike activities where designed to extend the experience in the classroom. This field trip was sponsored by Sam’s Fund.

Grade 5 Boston Harbor Ocean Trip

In June, each 5th grade classroom toured Boston Harbor. Following the tour, students visited UMASS research labs and performed hands-on experiments with ocean science graduate students. This field trip, made possible by Sam’s Fund, was the culmination of the 5th grade study of the oceans.

Fourth Grade students learn all about the Blue Hills land formations and erosion.

Fourth Grade students enjoy the view from atop the Blue Hills while learning about landforms and our area’s topography.

Fifth Grade Students cruise Boston Harbor as graduate students at UMASS Boston reinforce the ocean curriculum.