Grade 12 History students push back against their teacher to simulate Boudicca’s Rebellion

Brandon Stewart English and Humanities, Experiential Learning No Comments

The YMCA Academy’s Adventures in World History course experienced the discipline needed to work as a single unit in the Roman Infantry. With shields at the ready the would-be Legionnaires cooperated to overcome uneven terrain and push back the opposing force.

By taking the Historical Perspective of Roman Soldiers and British Iceni Warriors the students determined that in the conflict of Boudicca’s Rebellion, the Iceni tribe had the offensive advantages of manoeuvrability over many terrain types, and could employ guerrilla tactics. The Romans, on the other hand, had the defensive advantages of a solid shield wall, and immovable block formations, making them a difficult enemy to overcome.

Just as the teacher couldn’t hold back the students in formation during the pushing match, the Iceni couldn’t hold back the inexhaustible numbers, and relentless discipline of the Roman Empire. Even though she was able to win many battles, Boudicca’s Rebellion did not end the Roman occupation of Britain.

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Fashion class casts on with knitting workshop

YMCA Academy Arts, Community, Experiential Learning No Comments

Winter may be over but the YMCA Academy’s Fashion Class is in full swing with knitting and crocheting! Using a variety of tools for all of our different needs, we have created some fun fashion accessories including scarves, hats, hairbands and ties with gorgeous multi-coloured wool. A big thanks to Peg for coming in and helping us along the way. We suggest you take up knitting, crocheting or both because they are great for relaxation and also they sure add to your style!

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Chemistry students observe reactions

Zareh Demirdji Science and Math No Comments

Grade 12 YMCA Academy Chemistry students observe a reaction and record analysis.

Atoms are all around us. They make up everything we know. Having a fundamental understanding of their properties and characteristics grants us the ability to analyse pretty much any substance and discern its chemical and atomic makeup. There are several ways of figuring out the chemical makeup of substances. In the matter and qualitative analysis unit of grade 12 chemistry, we look at some of the techniques chemists use to analyse matter. Specifically, we look at the use of mass spectrometers, flame tests, emission/absorption spectra, and lastly precipitation reactions.

In order to apply their knowledge and understanding of qualitative analysis, the grade 12 chemistry class was tasked with running a series of precipitation reactions in order to figure out the identity of an unknown chemical substance. Using their knowledge of precipitation reactions, solubility rules and net ionic equations, they observed a series of reactions between known substances and a single unknown sample. Using all of the aforementioned tools along with their recorded observations, they determined the identity of the unknown substance and reported their methods, observations, and conclusions in a formal lab report.

Exploring ancient stories of the night sky

Zareh Demirdji Community, Experiential Learning, Native Studies, Science and Math No Comments

Visitor to the YMCA Academy Astronomy class shares stories about constellations in the night sky.

Astronomy is one of the oldest natural sciences. As long as humans have been able to look up at the sky, we have done so, wondering what our place is in the universe, where we came from, and how the universe itself came to be. Many (if not all) ancient civilizations have creation stories of how the universe came to be, and of constellations and celestial objects. As we started our new unit of Earth and Space exploration, we had the pleasure of having master orator Jim Adams share Aboriginal stories about celestial objects, constellations, and the universe as a whole.

We first heard a story about Sky Woman, which connected the Earth and the sky. Next, we heard about Atima and Atchaksuk, the dog and light/star respectively. Lastly, we heard three stories about constellations. The first story was one about a wolf which related to the little dipper. The second story was about Mista Muskwa (the big bear) which is commonly known as Ursa Major which has the Big Dipper as part of it. The last story was about the Pleiades constellation. By the end of the class, students were still thirsty for more stories. We may have to call in Jim again in order to appease the students’ desire to hear more Aboriginal stories.

Academy student awarded a Shine Music bursary

YMCA Academy Community, Student Spotlight No Comments

The YMCA Academy’s very own Tristan Andrews was the recent recipient of a bursary award through Toronto’s Shine Music program.

He, along with nine other youth from the city, were celebrated at Lula Lounge in early March to a sold-out and very enthusiastic crowd of supporters. There were a number of impressive local musicians performing and a wonderful speech of tribute to Jim Fay in whose memory the bursaries are awarded.

We are so proud of Tristan and look forward to seeing what he gets up to with his new ukulele, harmonicas and other instruments. Congratulations!!

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