Thursday, December 20, 2012



 
Go play outside!

Over the holidays, we would like to encourage you to go play outside! Put down your remote controls and get off the couch, it`s time to put on your boots, tuques, gloves and jackets and head for the great outdoors. Here are a few suggestions from the staff at the Arundel Nature and Science Centre that may be fun to share with your kids! Here are 5 activities that are inexpensive and engaging for students of all ages.

First things first, it`s very important to stay warm! How you ask? Well, the best way to stay warm in the winter is to dress appropriately. You will need a hat, a scarf and a good pair of gloves. A snowsuit with a warm jacket, a good pair of snow pants and a cozy pair of boots will keep you toasty on the coldest days. Remember though; if you start to feel cold make sure you have a place to go where you can warm up.
Take a walk outside with your friends and family
 This is a great activity to do with your loved ones and the best thing about it is that it’s free! You can walk around your neighborhood and explore your community. Grab a flashlight or a headlamp and head out after dinner as a family. Keep your eyes peeled for any wildlife or animal tracks that you may see along the way.

Go tobogganingFind a hill close to your house where you can go sliding. Most communities have designated areas for residents specifically for tobogganing. The only piece of equipment that you need is a toboggan or crazy carpet in order to maximize your fun. Be safe when sliding and make sure that you use an open area away from trees. The challenge now is to stop yourself from smiling!

Build a snowman in your yard: Building a snowman is a great outdoor activity. It can also be a great teambuilding exercise where you and your friends can work together to accomplish a task.

Ice skatingHopefully, by the time the holidays roll around, the ice will be ready to skate on. If you’ve never skated before, now’s the time to get started. Skating is great exercise and it’s also a great way to get fresh air.

Go skiing or snowboarding These activities may be a more expensive but are definitely worth the investment. The practice of skiing and snowboarding has many health benefits. It’s great exercise and it’s great for building self-confidence and a sense of accomplishment. We challenge everyone to give it a shot!

For all of your other outdoor pursuits, like cross country skiing and snowshoeing, please come visit us at the Arundel Nature and Science Centre in the New Year. We offer students the opportunity to become engaged with nature and science from an experiential education standpoint. We would love to offer all of the students of the Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board the opportunity to visit their outdoor classroom!

www.natureandscience.ca http://arundelnsc.blogspot.ca/ https://twitter.com/arundelnsc

Thursday, December 6, 2012

David Suzuki



David Suzuki has been a role model for many Canadians. His words have inspired many people to change their views on how we exploit natural resources. I like this video because it presents the viewers with a different outlook on economic progress. The externalities of our economic policies are not sustainable and remain short-sighted. Gaining alternate perspectives, like the one presented by Suzuki, helps us to see through the smoke screen of ``progress`` and realize that maybe progress is not moving us forward but compromising our future.