6th Grade

updated 06/15/2026

6th Grade GATE – Spring 2026 Highlights

Our 6th Grade GATE students had an exciting spring filled with investigation, problem-solving, engineering, leadership, and critical thinking!

Union Bank Robbery Case
Students continued their exploration of forensic science by stepping into the role of detectives to solve the Union Bank Robbery Case. With challenges such as unavailable security footage and missing information, students quickly discovered how difficult it can be to solve cases without modern forensic tools.

Throughout the investigation, students learned about DNA fingerprinting and how forensic scientists analyze unique patterns in DNA to identify individuals and connect evidence to a case. They also examined the reliability of eyewitness testimony through interactive activities, testing their own memories by trying to recall specific items and details after a short period of time. Students learned that even confident witnesses may forget or misremember details, which is why forensic evidence plays such an important role in supporting investigations.

Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving
Throughout the spring, students continued building their problem-solving skills through brain teasers, logic challenges, and activities focused on convergent and divergent thinking, practicing how to look at problems from different perspectives, develop creative solutions, and use reasoning to support their ideas.

Survival Science and Engineering
Our final unit of the spring focused on Survival Science and Engineering, exploring how science, innovation, and problem-solving can help people survive and adapt in challenging situations. Students discussed the importance of meeting basic survival needs, clean water, food, shelter, and energy, and investigated how engineers and scientists create solutions to help people overcome environmental challenges.

Students became environmental engineers as they designed and tested their own water filtration systems. Using everyday materials including plastic bottles, paper towels, sand, rocks, and coffee filters, they experimented with different designs to determine which materials worked best to remove particles from contaminated water, ultimately transforming dirty brown water into clear water while learning about the global importance of clean water access.

Students also explored renewable energy through the Solar Oven Challenge, learning how solar energy can be collected and used as a heat source when traditional cooking methods aren't available. They designed and built solar ovens while considering insulation, reflection, and how different materials impact the effectiveness of their designs. Throughout the unit, students applied the engineering design process by planning, testing, evaluating results, and improving their solutions.

Annual Sleep Out
Our 6th Grade GATE students also helped lead the charge for our Annual Sleep Out. Through this experience, students developed a greater understanding of human impact, empathy, and advocacy, learning how communities can come together to create change and how leadership skills can make a positive difference.  This year we raised almost $16,000 for Covenant House! 

The First Annual Gifty Awards
We ended the spring with our First Annual Gifty Awards, created by Mrs. Ganley to celebrate each student's unique gifts, strengths, and talents. Every student received a personalized award recognizing what makes them special as a learner and member of the GATE community.

Thank you for an amazing year of investigation, innovation, leadership, and discovery. I hope everyone has a wonderful summer and cannot wait to continue solving problems, exploring new ideas, and making a positive impact next year!