Elementary students from Gibsons and Langdale got up close and personal with sea creatures such ascrabs, sea anemones and starfish when the Vancouver Aquarium's AquaVan visited Gibsons Elementary School this past week.
More than 200 students were able to pet sea cucumbers, inspect sea snails and learn about the amazing adaptations of several sea creatures while the AquaVan was on the Sunshine Coast Nov. 4 to 6.
The AquaVan brings educators with live ocean animals, artifacts and fun activities to schools throughout Western Canada in an effort to introduce aquatic science and conservation to kids, said Kelsey Shore, AquaVan coordinator.
She noted the Sitka Foundation recently provided funding to have the AquaVan visit and teach students around Howe Sound specifically, which is why School District No. 46 was contacted.
"Gibsons Elementary was the first to get back to us," Shore said.
Their eagerness to take part made Gibsons Elementary the host school and with enough resources to offer hands-on training to three schools in total, Langdale and Cedar Grove elementary schools were also invited to take part.
During the three days, classes from all three schools toured exhibits and observation stations, played fun games, asked questions and learned new things about the animals seen regularly in local waters.
Many left with a heightened awareness and appreciation of local sea life.
The AquaVan is presented by BC Hydro and BG Group. Since 1994, more than 400,000 students and community members have benefited from the Vancouver Aquarium's mobile classroom. Find out more at www.vanaqua.org.
