Retreat Healthcare's Tower Program Holds Floating Boat Extravaganza

June 3, 2003

Brattleboro, VT- The Tower Program at Retreat Healthcare is sponsoring a Floating Boat event on Friday, June 6, 2003, at the Retreat pool, from 1:30pm to about 3:00pm, depending on how long the boats stay afloat. This event marks the culmination of a learning unit, that is part of the educational curriculum for this group (see details below). Press are welcome to attend.

The Tower Program is an alternative education program for 7th through 12th grade students who may be at risk of dropping out or of being asked to leave school due to behavioral problems. A fully accredited component of the Meadows Educational Center, the Tower Program blends education, vocational training, life skills training, adventure-based recreation, health education, and self-esteem building activities. Each student receives an individualized educational plan and a hands-on, small group approach.

WHY DO THINGS FLOAT?

Objectives of unit:

Build a cardboard and duct tape boat that will float with one student from each team in each boat.
Develop problem-solving skills by working as teams to experiment with challenges such as: weight, leaks, mass, strength of materials, water-proofing, stability, density, etc.
Meets Vermont standard 7.2 investigations, students design and conduct a variety of their own investigations and projects.
Improve cooperation & teamwork between students.
Have fun
Learn to take risks by experimenting with unfamiliar materials
Be creative and try different designs.

If you would like to cover this event, or for more information, please contact Maria Basescu, 802-258-6161 or mbasescu@retreathealthcare.org or Ricky Davidson, Tower Program Manager, at 258-4348 or rdavidson@retreathealthcare.org. (All Tower Program students have signed forms to have pictures taken and authorized their use for the press.)