At CNC, learning happens across a lifetime. That’s why the College was pleased to recently welcome fourth and fifth graders for the exciting Wood Magic event.
The day was dedicated to increasing awareness of wood products and their role in their daily lives. Students enjoyed an engaging movie presentation followed by hands-on activities and pizza lunch.
The event featured eight thematic stations, each designed to captivate young minds and instill an appreciation for sustainability and wood. Specialists from various fields, including wildlife, silviculture, protection, wood science and manufacturing,
guided the students through each interactive exhibit.
“The activities were spot on – super engaging and the right mix of fun and educational and levelled well for the grade 4ish range. The hands-on activities really brought the ‘wood magic’ to life”, said Chris Wood, a Grade
4/5 teacher at Hart Highlands Elementary School in Prince George, “I’ve had multiple students say that this is the best field trip they have ever been on (and not just this year).”
This pilot was a first in BC, however Wood Magic has a lengthy history in the United States. The program gives students a deeper understanding of and appreciation for the wood and trees that surround us.
CNC wants to thank the Council of Forest Industries (COFI) for their support and contribution to this wonderful learning experience.
Highlights of the day included:
- Wood is all around us: an exploratory station where students discovered the prevalence and importance of wood in everyday objects, with the help of CNC’s natural resources and forest technology (NRFT) program.
- Tractors, trucks, bridges, and fun: this station focused on the structural uses of wood, showcasing how it supports our infrastructure.
- Wildlife theme and tree identification: with support from CNC’s Research Forest, a dual-themed station that introduced students to the biodiversity that woodlands support and the basics of tree identification.
- The tree doctor and remote sensing/drone demonstrations: the students learned about the health of trees and the innovative use of technology in forestry. The NRFT program and Strategic Consulting provided invaluable contributions to this section.
Besides the educational stations, the day was filled with exciting activities. The students had a great time during their pizza break and especially enjoyed the 'Bubbling Bazookas' show, made possible thanks to UNBC, and a chance to get creative at the
'Crafts TBD' station.
