News Archive
Bob McDonald visit
Science journalist presents at Shawnigan
The Shawnigan chapel took a journey to space on Monday, as legendary journalist Bob McDonald shared his perspective and passion.
The CBC's national science commentator and host of Quirks and Quarks treated students and staff to a compelling one-hour presentation focusing on topics from his book, Canadian Spacewalkers: Hadfield, MacLean and Williams Remember the Ultimate High Adventure, and Canada's general contributions to the space program.
Using videos and slides, he also told of his own experiences in micro gravity, explaining how planes flying in parabolic curves can simulate the gravity of the moon, Mars and even complete weightlessness.
A natural teacher, McDonald took questions from engaged students, including one that prompted him to describe his unusual journey from construction jobs and swabbing toilets to a career as a high-profile science reporter.
"Just say yes!" he encouraged students, "Because when you say yes, you get scared. And when you get scared, you learn really fast."
"That was the most fascinating hour that I've spent in a long time," Headmaster David Robertson suggested after the presentation, acknowledging the audience's reaction. "It had all the elements that we're looking for."
Shawnigan's Centennial Speaker Series has also included presentations from Olympic gold medalist Ashleigh McIvor DeMerit, Me to We founders Craig and Marc Kielburger and Welsh rugby legend Gareth Edwards.
We acknowledge with respect the Coast Salish Peoples on whose traditional lands and waterways we live, learn and play. We are grateful for the opportunity to share in this beautiful region, and we aspire to healthy and respectful relationships with those who have lived on and cared for these lands for millennia.
Shawnigan Lake School is an independent co-educational boarding school for ages 13 –18 on Canada’s beautiful Pacific Coast. Our diverse, interdisciplinary and innovative programming helps shape the next generation of global leaders.
