16-05-2025
Sault students set to take off thanks to new funding
Thanks to a new partnership, 900 students in the Sault can learn about the science of flight. Cory Nordstrom reports.
Sault North Rotary is providing $15,000 in funding for local schoolchildren to take part in the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre's (CBHC) educational offerings.
$15K Rotary cheque for Bushplane
Sault North Rotary is providing $15,000 in funding for local schoolchildren to take part in the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre's educational offerings. (Supplied/Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre)
This new partnership will allow all Grade 6 students in Sault Ste. Marie to attend the heritage centre and receive curriculum-based programming free of charge.
'This donation, $12,000 of the $15,000 is directly going to the Grade 6 Flight Program,' said Tim Murphy, the centre's education coordinator.
'That will allow 900 Algoma District students to participate in this four-hour program at absolutely no cost.'
The program costs $15 per student and now that cost is not downloaded onto parents or the school board – instead, all children will get to enjoy a half day of hands-on learning that covers their curriculum in science and technology and touches on other subjects like history and geography.
'This place is unique in the world,' said Neil McLean of the Sault Rotary Club.
'It's a gem, and it's great to be able to support it, and to have the kids be able to enjoy that too.'
The additional $3,000 will allow 100 Grade 4 students to participate in a series of special educational outreach events in March and April inspired by 'Jane Goodall: Reasons for Hope,' a Science North documentary and exhibit currently enjoying being featured at CBHC.
The outreach events will animate the study of ecosystems, biodiversity, climate change and global warming through activity stations in hopes of encouraging youth to become stewards of the local environment while discovering examples of environmentally positive initiatives currently being undertaken in Algoma region, officials with CBHC said in a news release Thursday.
'The Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre and Sault North Rotary look forward to continuing our partnership in fostering a love for learning and aviation in the hearts of young students,' said the centre in the release.
'We extend our heartfelt thanks to Sault North Rotary for their generosity and support.'
