Laura Verhoeven is not your typical science teacher.

When VerhoevenB次元官网网址檚 students study human reproduction, she finds a pregnant woman to visit the class periodically so the students can see her body changing and ask about her experiences. Eventually, they get to meet the baby.

B次元官网网址淚 still have a very high academic expectation of my students, but I do believe school should be fun.B次元官网网址�

Observing chickens hatching from eggs is another way Verhoeven teaches reproduction.

B次元官网网址淲e look at the embryonic development of the chicken eggs,B次元官网网址� Verhoeven said, noting the kids often bring home what they have learned, literally. B次元官网网址淭he students usually adopt and use them for backyard chickens.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e seen teachers do it with fish and salmon, but not chickens,B次元官网网址� said vice principal Keith Boggs of Pacific Metchosin Technical Centre.

VerhoevenB次元官网网址檚 focus on creating hands-on learning more than merely studying text was one of the reasons the Metchosin teacher earned the 2012 Amgen Award for Science Teaching Excellence.

Each year only one teacher in Canada is given the award.

Whether itB次元官网网址檚 taking new approaches in the classroom or outdoors building a garden, Verhoeven wants students to learn with passion.

B次元官网网址淚nstead of talking about growing plants and agricultural systems, we go out and do it,B次元官网网址� Verhoeven said. B次元官网网址淲hen kids are up and moving they are going to retain more information.B次元官网网址�

Verhoeven isnB次元官网网址檛 the only teacher in the school who uses this approach to education. She has teamed with fellow teachers to create project-based learning that spans various subjects.

When the Grade 9 science class studies electricity, they go to the shop and gets hands-on experience wiring circuit boards with Boggs.

B次元官网网址淚nstead of using a battery and light bulb kits, they wire up real lights and real switches,B次元官网网址� Verhoeven said.

The Amgen Award comes with a $5,000 reward for Verhoeven, who says sheB次元官网网址檒l put the money towards tuition for a MasterB次元官网网址檚 Degree in Educational Leadership. The school also received $5,000 which will be put toward building a science lab for the Metchosin school.

In true fashion of the school, students will build the lab benches and shelving as part of the project-based learning.

reporter@goldstreamgazette.com