Watching a Canadian Coast Guard hovercraft make its way in through Burrard Inlet is an exciting sight.
Its noisy blowers pushing the large air cushion beneath the hull through the waves makes quite an impression. The hybrid vehicle is a unique invention and one that will be explored in the Science Adventures program at John Braithwaite Community Centre starting in January. The course will allow kids to build their own hovercrafts (a much smaller version than the real one) and catapults, along with a bunch of other science experiments.
Jennifer Norris, a programmer with the North Vancouver Recreation and Culture Commission, notes that the program allows children to learn science through a fun, art-based curriculum through structured and unstructured activities allowing children to explore, observe and use their hands.
The activities are meant to encourage critical thinking (asking questions, testing assumptions), creative solutions, working as a team and independently, and building observation skills. For example, if the topic was volcanoes the instructor would talk about volcanoes, bring in picture books, perhaps a lava rock to feel, introduce facts about how magma flows, and discuss the different types of volcanoes. The kids would then make their own volcano and "lava"(by mixing/measuring baking soda and vinegar). There are also up stations set up around the room for unstructured play so children can freely explore objects and concepts.
For some children, the science topics are new and exciting, and others will build on what they know and challenge their critical thinking skills, notes Norris.
Boys Girls Science Adventures (five-eight years old) run Mondays Jan. 11 -March 7, 3:30-5 p.m., at John Braithwaite Community Centre. For more information visit nvrc.ca.
