In mid-October 2013, the NFB Education team, The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) and The Canadian Museum of Nature (CMN) in Ottawa, teamed up to bring over 260 schools across Canada and Commander Chris Hadfield together for an engaging and inspirational Virtual Classroom. Commander Hadfield was joined by our lively host, NFB Education’s own Michèle Tredger. Together with thousands of students across Canada, they discussed students’ questions arising directly from the NFB’s Interactive Documentary NFB SPACE SCHOOL.
After receiving hundreds of questions from schools across Canada, the NFB Education Team chose 20 eager and bright English-speaking Canadian students and 15 French-speaking Canadian students to pose questions directly to Commander Hadfield. Questions ranged from queries about his personal struggles, to understanding how Hadfield lived aboard the International Space Station (the ISS), to discussions about the evidence of environmental changes from space. Each event ran an hour in length and students left exhilarated from the opportunity to connect live, with a living Canadian hero.
Following the event, Mrs. Thirell Trottier from Kelset School in Victoria, BC, had this to say about her students’ experience:
“Thank you! Thank you ! Thank you! It was a most interesting program. We all learned so much and now we’re going to learn even more! All your work, time and effort really paid off. Please thank Chris, Commander Hadfield, too! He is an inspiration!”
What is an NFB Virtual Classroom?
Our Virtual Classrooms are part of our innovative online programming. They connect students across Canada in live web discussions featuring influential public figures. The Chris Hadfield Virtual Classroom, featuring the interactive documentary NFB SPACE SCHOOL, is one of several such events that has reached thousands of Canadian students.
Pre-selected NFB films and interactive projects serve to prompt discussion on current affairs and critical issues. Students have the opportunity to connect with influential public figures and each other, from coast to coast, providing a unique and engaging experience that transcends traditional textbook learning.
The Virtual Classrooms require basic technological requirements. Upon completing simple online registrations, all educators need is Internet access, a webcam and microphone.
Upcoming Virtual Classrooms
Missed the Hadfield Virtual Classroom? No problem! Not only can you and your students visit NFB SPACE SCHOOL for exciting and engaging content featuring Chris Hadfield, but NFB Education also has more exciting Virtual Classrooms coming up throughout the 2013-2014 school year. Registration is still open for our upcoming event: Tapped Out: Our Right to Safe and Healthy Water: David Suzuki and Adam van Koeverden. You can register for the November 19th or November 20th date, for a chance to connect your students directly to these inspiring Canadians. Dr. Suzuki and Olympic kayaker, Adam van Koeverden, will speak to students about water pollution and sustainability. Simply visit our registration page to sign up today!
Connect With Us!
Did you participate in our Hadfield Virtual Classroom event and have an exciting story to tell? Have any ideas about who we should feature on an upcoming Virtual Classroom? Please tweet at us at @thenfb or use the comment box below to share your stories and ideas.
