Hands-on Science
Thursday, June 26, 2008  by Lynn Wendyger
Category: , , , , ,
My son is not a big fan of school, but he does like the Van Andel Science Academy. He's part of a 3 year cohort after-school program that is offered through the Van Andel Education Institute (VAEI). The mission of this program is to promote the learning of science and increase the number of students who will be prepared and motivated to pursue a science related field. 

This is good news for me, because my son finds it hard to sit still in traditional classes. At the VAEI, he is up and about, doing hands-on work.  Last year the kids learned the scientific method by conducting experiments on the academy's in-house menagerie. Does Toby the tortoise prefer red or green tortoise chow? Does a Bearded Dragon lizard prefer a living space with a pool or without? 

A few months ago I attended the kid's second-year final project presentations. They actually built their own mini-ecosystems, complete with plants, animals, and when appropriate, running water. It's amazing what 12 year-olds can do, when given the resources. 

The Van Andel Education Institute is supported by the Van Andel Institute (VAI), which was founded in 1996 by Jay and Betty Van Andel. It opened in 2000 with the vision of enhancing lives through biomedical research and education.  Since then, the institute has developed an excellent reputation among peer institutions, and is the cornerstone of the rebirth of Grand Rapids as a hot spot for biomedical research and industry. 

 I can't say for sure that my son will stick with science, but I do know that he is loving it now. This experience will help him decide his future. And as a parent, I'm glad to know that there will be great opportunities for him

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About Lynn Wendyger

Moms blogging on this site are all ladies working for Amway Global. As a baby boomer mom of two millennial children, I live in a world where my children know more about technology than I do. I enjoy a love-hate relationship with technology ... although I strive to be on top of the latest trends, my favorite activities remain curling up with a good book or taking a long walk. But I am insatiably curious about the role that technology plays in work, home and education. As a masters level Clinical Psychologist in a past life, I’m interested in how technology enhances life ... and how it can also make it more complex. As a Performance Consultant in Training & Education, I am excited about contributing to the development of learning programs that will help Independent Business Owners make money selling products and build successful businesses. I’ve also spent many years in both Brand Management and Web Marketing, where I was part of several website launch teams. In my very first job at Amway way back in 1985, I traveled the country as a Health Trainer, leading workshops with Independent Business Owners on how to sell Nutrilite health products. Wow! Who knew I’d come full circle? -More

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    • This blog is written by various Moms at Amway Global. -More

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    The authors of this blog are Amway Global employees. The opinions expressed here are not necessarily reviewed in advance by anyone but the individual authors. These opinions do not necessarily reflect the view of Amway Global or any other person or company.

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