May 14, 2013 - 8:59am
On May 15, more than 150 students from Bayview Elementary School will visit Vancouver Island University’s Nanaimo campus to explore what happens in a university environment.
The visit is part of Bayview school’s “I Can” initiative, which encourages students to think about life’s possibilities.
“We’re trying to plant the seed early among kindergarten to grade 7 students to see what’s possible for their future careers,” says VIU Education professor Dr. Paige Fisher. “Our goal is to inspire students and get them excited about pursuing post-secondary education.”
Bayview students will visit specific program areas including culinary arts and other trades, fisheries and aquaculture and science labs. Activities will be tailored to specific ages and grades.
For example, older students in grades 6 and 7 will participate in a photo scavenger hunt, taking photos of various aspects of life and learning at VIU. Education alumna Jean Kloppenburg, who teaches at Woodlands Secondary, is bringing her grade 10-12 photography students to the campus to assist.
“Our hope is that high school students will learn along with the elementary students about what VIU has to offer,” adds Fisher.
The day ends with a special lunch hosted in Shq’apthut: A Gathering Place on the Nanaimo campus by VIU Elders, followed by Bayview students attending the Extreme Science show in the Malaspina Theatre performed by VIU physics and chemistry faculty.
Fisher and her Education students have been engaging with Bayview school teachers and students for two years as part of an inquiry-based learning project.
“Our student teachers are normally assigned to practicums where they have an opportunity to teach, but this project with Bayview school has given my students something more,” says Fisher.
Fisher’s entire class – all 60 students – visited Bayview six times throughout the past school year. In one activity, student teachers accompanied Bayview school students to Newcastle Island to learn about planning and leading field trips.
On another occasion, VIU paid for substitute teachers while the regular teaching staff visited Fisher’s classroom to meet face-to-face with student teachers. “Bayview teachers took turns talking to our students about what they do on the job every day,” says Fisher.
“I engage my students in these experiential learning opportunities because I want them to see best practices in teaching and have a chance to try out what they’ve learned in the classroom,” Fisher adds. “My students have responded really well and they have developed a strong sense of commitment to the kids and teachers at Bayview.”
Fisher’s Education students are excited about hosting the entire Bayview school community at VIU. “The day is really about saying thank-you to the teachers and students at Bayview for being part of our inquiry project,” she says. “Our connection with Bayview elementary has provided a rich learning environment for future teachers.”
Faculty of Education Dean Dr. Harry Janzen says VIU “greatly values its many partnerships with schools like Bayview in the Nanaimo-Ladysmith School District #68.
“This is an important project because the elementary years are the right time for students to be setting their goals for post-secondary education,” Janzen adds.
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ABOUT VIU: Vancouver Island University is Canada’s west coast university. Known as a centre of excellence for teaching, learning and applied research, VIU offers a diverse range of certificate, diploma and undergraduate and master degree programs to more than 18,000 students on campuses in Nanaimo, Powell River and Cowichan, and at the Parksville-Qualicum Centre. For more information visit www.viu.ca
MEDIA CONTACT
Janina Stajic, Manager, Vancouver Island University
P: 250.740.6288 E: Communications@viu.ca Twitter: @VIUNews
Tags: In the Community
