PUHI — Elementary-school students from the Kawaikini New Century Public Charter School and Island School were given a special treat on Friday, when the Kaua‘i Community College Cognition Learning Center combined with the Distance Learning Program to present a unique learning lesson on light.
“The COGS staff created interactive movie scenes from “Harry Potter,” “Star Wars” and “Avatar” Pandora planet,” said COGS instructor Dr. Brian Yamamoto. “This event makes science fun, with movie themes and light.”
Students from the participating schools were broken down into small groups due to size limitations in the different worlds, and availability of equipment. The small groups were treated to a tri-world journey that one student said was “too short” to learn about light in a world where students and tour guides were bathed in blue light.
Using ultraviolet light, students canvassed the world of Harry Potter, seeking clues and keys to advance to the next world, where a gigantic, 97-pound pumpkin grown by Yamamoto’s brother in Kapa‘a kept students busy trying to figure how heavy the big sphere was.
A view from the cockpit of a star ship pulled the students past the jawa greeter, as young hands went straight to the cockpit controls set up inside the star cruiser, and the launch to warp speed for Pandora.
The world of the Avatar was punctuated by splashes of bioluminescence, or the emission of light by living organisms.
“I see one,” an excited voice called out to the tour guide, drawing everyone else’s attention to the avatar.
Once settled after discovering avatar frolicking, students used flashlights to paint on specially sensitized paper set up on the work stations.
The “too short” tour ended, and the tri-world travelers adjourned to a waiting room featuring exchange students from three universities from Japan — Yamaguchi University, University of Ryukyu and University of Niigata.
“They said they wanted to dress up,” Yamamoto said. “This was perfect for them, as they taught the students the kanji for ‘light’ while the students waited for the remainder of their class to finish the tour. Look at them. They’re having fun. We’re so sneaky in how we get people to learn.”
The Kaua‘i Community College Cognition Learning Center is a place where college students, faculty and staff can voluntarily invest their time and skills to bring innovative ideas to life. COGS promotes individual creativity by empowering students-led projects. The COGS mission is to inspire and encourage inquiry, exploration and hands-on learning to excite students of all ages.
