Yes I know this is a bit off topic, but then, not really. It’s about learning in a creative and encouraging environment, something we hope to achieve for our students here at The Learning Center. So can we take a lesson from this?
Yesterday my kids and I went to the City’s annual Exhibition, you know the rides, the games, the shows, etc. In the kid’s section of the park was a stage for shows done by a company that does science shows for kids. They travel to schools and special events with their ‘magic show’ of science tricks. A great concept and being The Science Mom to a group of kids that my son hangs out with, I’m of course a big supporter of this.
Until I see the show. It’s an audience full of 4-7 year olds mainly and it’s the experiment of a hair dryer air stream holding up a ping pong ball. Here’s what they’re saying: “Based on Bernoulli’s Principle, the mass and dimensions of the object, in this case the ping pong ball in relation to the upward pressure of the fluid or air column of the hair dryer…” blah blah blah. They were actually talking about Bernoulli’s Principle. Seriously. Oh *yawn* and they wonder why their audience was small and got smaller as the act went on?
They had cool tricks - floating bowling balls, why colas sink in water and diet colas don’t, stuff kids could relate to, but then blew it with the blah blah blah. I’ve seen this with other science shows, and with some grade school teachers. Then they wonder why it’s hard to get kids interested in science?
When kids are in grade school is the best time to get them intrigued by the wonders of science. Interest in science leads to interest in math, reading, even physical education if done right. It all ties together but these instructors continually kill it for the kids.
How does this relate to The Learning Centre? Well, hopefully we’ll be able to make it creative and interesting and motivating for you to learn the skills you want. It is an important focus because all learning should be interesting, whether in grade school, adult learning or seniors going back to University. At least as adults we can speak up when things are dull and I encourage you to do so with course feedback.
Bernoulli’s Principle: A rise (fall) in pressure in a flowing fluid must always be accompanied by a decrease (increase) in the speed, and conversely, if an increase (decrease) in , the speed of the fluid results in a decrease (increase) in the pressure. In other words, this is why shower curtains get sucked into the tub and get chummy with you while having a shower.