Eighth graders from Dr. Swift Middle School took their classroom out into the wilderness last Wednesday in the last trip of a fully-funded Real 8 program.
The Real 8 program—an experiential learning program within the Northern Lights School Division that applies math and science to the real world—will see drastic changes in the future because its funding from the Alberta Initiative for School Improvement has been cut. This means that the two full-time teachers designated to co-ordinate the program will not be returning next year, leaving it up to non-specific teachers to carry it on.
“It’s really unfortunate that we won’t have funding for it,” said Dr. Swift teacher Will Zahra, adding that the program’s future is in jeopardy because teachers lack the training to support the outdoor activities.
“I think it’ll die, teachers will be really reluctant to take kids out because we’re not as experienced as two full-time staff.”
Grade 8 science teacher Erin Shulko agreed. She said teachers are not certified in areas like canoeing and wall climbing, which have served as essential components of the Real 8 program.
The program is designed to help students retain information by applying their curriculum to the real world. For example, canoeing and wall climbing taught students about simple machines and mechanics.
“This program was first designed to target those kids that don’t learn in the normal environment very well,” said Shulko, adding that once outside, students became fully engaged in learning.
Language arts teacher Amalise Strom-Brocklesby said the Real 8 program has been effective. Strom-Brocklesby referred back to the out-of-classroom lessons to help her students better understand scientific theories.
Despite the drastic changes that will happen to the Real 8 program, students were all smiles last Wednesday, as they combined their learning with an Aboriginal Day celebration. Students moved through four stations: paper making, fish dissection, canoeing and bannock and medicinal tea-making.
The bannock and medicinal tea station was courtesy of elder Alsena White from Saddle Lake, who said it was a pleasure to teach the students how to make the traditional treats.
Other activities students participated in throughout the year include ice fishing, snowshoeing, orienteering and geocaching. All eighth graders in the NLSD participated in the Real 8 program, which began three years ago.
