Program puts minds in motion
Magic Springs Theme & Water Park welcomed students and educators from throughout Arkansas on Friday for the final day of its annual Education in Motion program.
Magic Springs has opened its gates to around 14,000 students and educators during the first three Fridays in May for math, science and real-world educational purposes.
The American Red Cross and Hot Springs Police Department hosted booths throughout the park on Friday, offering activities centered around safety.
Students attempted a sobriety walk at a booth hosted by the police department and tried their hand at stop-motion animation at a booth hosted by the Arts and Science Center for Southeast Arkansas.
Miranda Welch, a math teacher in the Cutter Morning Star School District, took a group of 16 high school students who had met behavioral
ademic requirements to Education in Motion and “had a blast.”
“Being able to educate these kids in not only math, but life lessons is important. They should know how drugs or alcohol affect them when they’re out in the world so they can make the right decisions,” she said.
Welch said she was able to incorporate roller coaster-themed assignments for her geometry students before the trip, which provided an incentive for the students to put in more effort on their NWEA tests.
“They were dying to know their test results. It gives them something to look forward to next year; especially the kids that were surprised that their test scores qualified them for an invitation, but needed to get their behavior in shape,” Welch said.
Michael Wampler, Magic Springs sales and marketing director, said the program requires a big commitment from the teachers, but the activities and overall experience are well worth it.
“This allows the educators to apply what they’re learning in the classroom to an outdoor setting. From the force meters, to centrifugal force, to gravity, it overall makes for a fun day,” Wampler said.
Wampler said Magic Springs provides an online workbook that is matched to the appropriate grade level as preparation before the students experience the park.
“This is the right of passage into summer, it’s the last big hurrah,” he said, noting he was pleased by perfect weather for the consecutive Fridays and looks forward to hosting the event next year.