Whether it was planting “magic beans” with Cold Lake Parks and Recreation, or hopping in the driver's seat of the nearest tractor, students from local elementary schools were treated to a behind-the-scenes look at the Cold Lake Public Works team.
“I just love it here, there's just so much to do,” said Grade 3 student Isla Bacon.
So much to do was an understatement as the city opened the doors of Imperial Oil Place to 131 students.
They were treated to demonstrations on all areas of public works, including waste management, water and wastewater treatment, transportation, and storm drainage. If public works takes care of it, it was on display.
Teachers from North Star Elementary and St. Dominic Elementary School believe it's an experience they may not be afforded in the classroom.
“I think it's a great opportunity to educate the kids on public works,” explained Pam Yochim, Grade 3 French Immersion teacher at St. Dominic. “It's definitely helpful that they can be hands on. If they can have a fun experience while seeing what these people do to help our community, it will stick with them.”
North Star Elementary's Alysha Chiu agreed and emphasized the importance of the demonstrations.
“We believe hands on experience is the way children learn and remember things. It will stick with them because they get to sit on the equipment and experience what workers in Alberta public works do,” she exclaimed.
For many of the students, this was their first chance to take what they learn in the classroom and apply it to the real world.
“We're getting to show our social studies students how things work in Cold Lake. For example, our Grade 2 students are learning about natural resources and how to protect them, so seeing how we do that in our city is important,” said Amanda MacNeil, Grade 2 French Immersion teacher at St. Dominic.
Students from North Star Elementary were in a similar situation.
“This ties right in with our social studies curriculum. We look at the importance of public works and how it keeps us all connected,” Chiu emphasized.
General Manager of Infrastructure Services in Cold Lake Azam Khan believes providing that sense of connection is important not only for the students, but for the promotion of public works.
“Kids are our best helper, because when they go home they say to their mom and dad ‘okay this is how things work,' so we always have emphasis on educating kids,” said Khan.
He continued, “This is just one of the many events where students can come and see hands-on how different things work and how all of our different departments bring the community together and connect us.”
