The Hope International University College of Education sent 16 students to The Honda Center in February to assist with the Anaheim Ducks’ 14th annual First Flight event. First Flight is a free day of activities that are designed to help students think about math and science in new ways, using the ice hockey arena as a fun “classroom” and looking at the relationships between math, science, and hockey.

The Ducks estimate that about 15,000 students from as far away as the High Desert and Imperial Valley attended the event. This year’s theme was “Cool Like Ice.” Students learned about the properties of water and ice, taught by Ducks players and coaches. In the second part of the program, students were able to watch the players practice and compete in skills competitions. The curriculum, which is part of the team’s Scholastic Curriculum of Recreation and Education (S.C.O.R.E) program, is designed to meet state educational standards for grades 3-6.

Karen Clark, HIU’s Student Success Coordinator, reported that HIU’s future educators were great volunteers. “It was awesome to see our Hope students using their teaching skills to benefit children and have a great time!”