Nov 18th, 2013 – Popsicle stick Catapults!

YMCA Academy Experiential Learning, Science and Math

Fire Away!

Learning about simple and compound machines and how they increase mechanical advantage to help us do work is pretty cool. Building a simple or compound machine and measuring its mechanical advantage, however, is awesome! The grade 12 physics class spent a period building catapults using Popsicle sticks, rubber bands, tape, alligator clips and a spoon. Once their catapults where built, they measured the mechanical advantage they had.


 
Check out the rest of the pictures on our Facebook Page!

Nov 15th, 2013 – Kensington Market Trip

YMCA Academy Arts, Experiential Learning

The 4th period Visual Arts and Media Arts classes visited Kensington Market last Friday to view the work of multi-disciplinary artist Moses Kofi. The students checked out Moses’ dynamic outdoor installation of ‘Robot Alien’ sculptures made of found and donated metal materials. Moses  shared his techniques, approach and his view of art making in society. The budding artists also had the opportunity to visit Moses’ dynamic studio space and see a demo of the artist at work.  Lots of “oohs” and “ahhs” and the opportunity to see street art in process.

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Nov. 6th, 2013 – A Place to Stand

YMCA Academy Experiential Learning, Science and Math

Archimedes (of Eureka fame) provided explanations of how levers worked and is purposed to have said, “Give me a place to stand and with a lever I will move the whole world.” But what is a lever and how does it provide mechanical advantage? The grade 12 physics class set out to find out by performing a lab to answer the questions (1) What class of lever is a door, and (2) how does the length of the effort arm in a lever system affect the lever’s mechanical advantage? With just a tape measure, post it notes, their index fingers and their minds, they set up their experiments and pushed their way to the answers.

 

Nov. 5th, 2013 – Monster Madness Workshops

YMCA Academy Arts, Experiential Learning

To celebrate the changing leaves and spooky season, the grade 11 Media Arts and grade 10 Visual Arts classes teamed up for a monster-themed unit.  Brampton artist David Irvine visited the Academy and brought with him several of his original pieces, including a decorated light bulb, a table leg creature and stunningly painted jewelry boxes.  He also gave each student a print of one of his signed sketches as gifts!  Students are using his timed-limited daily art practice and creating “monsters” every class for a week using different media.  The next day, students participated in an exciting workshop at the Gardiner Museum of Ceramic Art where they learned about the history of medieval art and gargoyles.  In the amazing basement studio, students learned techniques for working with clay and created their own unique creatures.  Once these pieces are fired in a kiln, the group will return to apply coloured glazes to finish them off.  A special thanks goes out to our volunteer and Academy alumnus Jessie for helping us with this unit.  Happy fall everyone!

Monster-A-Day workshop with David Irvine:

Gargoyle Workshop at the Gardiner Museum:

Check out the rest of the pictures on our Facebook Page!

Check out the rest of the pictures on our Facebook Page!

Oct. 29th, 2013 – Upcoming Event Fall Open House

YMCA Academy Events

Discover The YMCA Academy! Tour the school, meet our teachers and staff, and get details about our unique Special Education programming at our next Open House event:

2013 FALL OPEN HOUSE
Saturday November 2nd
11:00am-1:00pm

We’re located at 15 Breadalbane Street, Toronto — in the Central YMCA, near Yonge and College streets and College subway station.

For more information about this event, check out our Open House page.