Which Article Was Written by a Human, and Which Article Was Written by ChatGPT?

Last school year, I wrote an article about the 8th graders (now 9th graders) trip to Washington D.C. This year, I asked ChatGPT to use my interviews to write the same article. See if you can figure out which one is which. The answer is on page 2.

Article 1: D.C. Trip Brings Excitement

8th graders are starting to get excited about the Washington D.C. Trip, which will happen after Spring Break. The trip will start on May 7th and end on May 11th, adding up to five days. During the trip, students will visit many museums and monuments that they have been learning about during the school year.

Ms. Raina Green, an 8th grade Social Studies teacher, says, “This program allows students to truly immerse themselves in the things we are learning about in class, from politics & current events, to our most important leaders in U.S. history, to the markers like WWII & the Civil Rights movement that shape our memory & values today. It’s also a lot of fun!”

Students will do many things on the trip. They will visit many museums, such as the Smithsonian Institution and the Holocaust Memorial Museum. Students will spend time outside, too. During the trip, they will go walk around the Arlington National Cemetery, the National Mall, LaFayette Park (which is in front of the White House), and the Black Lives Matter Plaza. The group will also explore Georgetown and many other historical neighborhoods.

One of the most distinct things the 8th grade will do during the trip is to go to Capitol Hill and meet various senators and representatives. They will see many people, including Majority Whip Tom Emmer, who was scheduled to meet the 8th grade last year but couldn’t come.

“It’s kind of a new experience [because] … my brother didn’t do this trip so I’m excited to experience it myself… Usually, the school doesn’t do these big trips,” said Noah Zacks, a current 8th grader.

The D. C. trip used to be optional. 7th graders could choose to take the trip, which happened over spring break. “I felt like the trip was a better match for 8th graders based on our curriculum and it was such a valuable experience, I wanted EVERYONE to get to go, not just the kids whose families could afford a spring break trip for them,” says Green, who took over the trip after her colleague retired. After that, Green worked with Blake’s leadership team to make the trip a required 8th-grade event.

Currently, many 8th graders are excited about the trip. “I think it will be good to see all of the different historical monuments that are there and talk to politicians and see how they think of the political landscape,” says an 8th grader.

Article 2: 8th Graders Prepare for Exciting D.C. Trip

The 8th graders at Blake School are gearing up for an exciting, educational adventure: their annual trip to Washington, D.C. From May 7th to May 11th, the class will explore the nation’s capital and immerse themselves in U.S. history, politics, and culture, all while building on what they’ve learned in their Social Studies classes.

According to Ms. Raina Green, an 8th grade Social Studies teacher who has organized the trip for several years, this journey is a “capstone experience.” “The trip builds on a lot of what we learn about throughout middle school, especially in Social Studies,” Ms. Green explained. “We tour monuments like the Lincoln Memorial, visit the Smithsonian museums, and explore significant historical landmarks, including Arlington National Cemetery and Black Lives Matter Plaza.”

Students will also have the chance to engage directly with politics during their visit to Capitol Hill. “We spend time meeting with elected representatives and senators,” Ms. Green said. Past students have met with figures like Senators Klobuchar and Smith, as well as Representatives Dean Phillips and Angie Craig. This year, Ms. Green is hoping that the students will also meet with Majority Whip Tom Emmer, who had to reschedule his meeting last year due to a presidential visit.

The D.C. trip is a tradition at Blake, but it didn’t always look the way it does today. “The trip used to be an optional spring break experience for 7th graders,” Ms. Green shared. “When I took over the program after Steve Johnson retired, I felt it was a better fit for 8th graders, especially considering the connections to our curriculum. I wanted every 8th grader to have the opportunity to go, not just the ones who could afford the trip.”

For students like Noah Zacks, the trip is a chance to connect their studies with real-world experiences. “We’re learning a lot about current events in Social Studies, and going to D.C. helps us understand the government better,” Noah said. “It’s exciting because it’s a new experience for me, especially since my brother didn’t go on the trip.”

While many students are excited about the educational aspects of the trip, others are looking forward to exploring the city itself. “I think it will be interesting to see all the different historical monuments and talk to politicians about the political landscape,” one anonymous student said. “I’m not looking forward to the flight, but I’m definitely excited for everything else.”

Overall, the 8th grade D.C. trip promises to be an unforgettable experience, blending history, politics, and fun in the heart of the nation’s capital.

Answers: Article 1 was written by a human, Article 2 was written by ChatGPT.