Issue link: https://read.uberflip.com/i/501801
36 / MAY.JUNE.2015 RINKMAGAZINE.COM REAL PROGRAMS Successful programs to consider adopting Storhok appreciates that the pro- gram reaches families who, without the enthusiasm of their students and the encouragement of the pass, wouldn't have considered skating. "These kids come back because they have a pass, then they sign up for skate lessons or get into the learn-to-play hock- ey sessions. It's been a great asset." An added bonus for Storhok? Science on Ice fills a hard-to-sell time slot on a weekday morning — and they've filled it for a record 18 weeks during the 2014-15 season. School in Session The science portion of the program, developed by educators with significant experience in both classroom and informal science, begins with the students answer- ing questions about ice sports. The educa- tors use televised Olympic events to trig- ger the kids' memories. The three phases of water and molecu- lar motion are demonstrated by a hands- on activity in which the students time the movement of dye molecules through a beaker of water and perfume through the air. A demo using dry ice at -30 degrees Fahrenheit is one of the most popular for the students as they get to watch the dry ice "boil" after being poured into a large glass jar of water. The presentation moves on to force and motion concepts (recall the slingshot-pro- pelled hockey pucks) as well as linear ver- sus angular momentum, and how the latter helps figure skaters spin. Even kids who've never skated can experience the sensation by being gently spun on a Lazy Susan while alternately extending or pulling in their arms and grasping a pair of handheld weights. We also present the science of skating using a pair of giant skate blades we built so the kids can see the double- edged, concave shape of a skate blade. The data students collect during the slingshot experiment is taken back to their classrooms and teachers use a follow-up lesson to analyze their findings and rein- force concepts heard at the rink. Time to Hit the Ice Following the science lessons, our ice skating teacher gives a short skating safety demo. Then it's out onto the ice where the students are sorted into beginner and advanced groups to learn new skating skills. The excitement and enthusiasm in the rink is infectious as kids who already have some skating skills help their peers — or perhaps show off just a little bit. To end the skating portion of the field trip, our figure skating instructor demon- strates some spins in front of the assem- bled group, bringing them back to the science of skating. Then we pull out our giant slingshot specially designed to shoot youth and adult curling stones across the ice, letting the kids use what they've learned to predict which will slide farther down the ice. Since its inception, Science on Ice has been funded by small grants from local businesses and run entirely by volunteers. The grants pay for ice time, skate and hel- met rentals, various equipment, props and supplies, and small stipends for the science and skating instructors. We have occasion- ally paid for buses to bring students to the rink as cash-strapped schools often cannot afford field trips. We are commit- ted to making this a fun and educational field trip that is open to all schools within a drivable distance from our rink. After eight years, we've received hundreds of thank you letters, zero complaints, and lots of returning customers. The entire Science on Ice program, which was created by Robichaud and Paul Allan, can be found online at scienceonice.org. J , Continued from page 35 , Partnering with local schools can help fill vacant time slots and recruit new customers.