KSO and Telus team up for kids
A year ago, the Kamloops Symphony received a substantial grant from Telus for a program to help educate children.
Last month, it became a reality as the program got off the ground.
Symphony general manager Kathy Humphries said she found out about the telecom giant’s newly created community-board grant program and applied with a plan to engage Grade 4 students through a hands-on experience linking sound and science.
Humphries said she chose Grade 4 because sound is part of the science curriculum at that level.
It paid off in the form of a $10,000 grant last year from the Telus Thompson-Okanagan Community Board.
The program — which involves the Kamloops Symphony, the Big Little Science Centre and School District 73 — launched in February to rave reviews from students and teachers.
Two classes can be accommodated during each 90-minute time period, with the sessions taking place at the Big Little Science Centre.
Classes move between a science demonstration in one classroom, an instrument-making workshop in another classroom and a performance ensemble from the Kamloops Symphony.
At each station, scientific concepts are demonstrated and discussed — through the use of lab equipment, the construction of basic instruments and the classical-music performance.
More than 400 students have signed up so far, Humphries said, representing interest from 13 schools across the district.
Because of the grant from Telus, there is no charge to the students.
Teachers of Grade 4 students are encouraged to contact the Kamloops Symphony at 250-372-5000, or by email at info@kamloopssymphony.com.
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