The Anaheim Ducks will host over 15,000 elementary school students (grades 3-6) at the 10th annual First Flight Field Trip on Thursday, February 11 at Honda Center. Students and teachers from throughout Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, and Los Angeles Counties will convene for the interactive learning program. The program begins at 8:30 a.m. with interactive hockey exhibits in the Honda Center parking lot and will continue with the on-ice segment featuring the entire Ducks roster beginning at 10:45 a.m.

 Recognized by the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) with the 2010 Faraday Communicator Award, the First Flight Field Trip is a facet of the Anaheim Ducks S.C.O.R.E. (Scholastic Curriculum of Recreation and Education) Program, which was developed in 2005. The goal of the program is to promote and cultivate healthy living and academic excellence to all students in Southern California. The Faraday Communicator Award is the NSTA’s prize for informal science programs in the United States. Its previous recipients include PBS, National Public Radio and the Education Development Center. Since 2003 when the Discovery Channel teamed with NSTA to create the annual Faraday Science Communicator Award, NSTA has honored individuals who are not classroom teachers, but who work in, or have developed a compatible setting for science communication such as a museum, nature center, zoo, state park, aquarium, radio, television, internet and other science-rich institutions and/or media.

“We’re honored to be nationally recognized for our First Flight Field Trip program,” said Ducks Director of Fan Development Matt Savant. “We understand the importance of making an impact in the community and in the lives of these children. It’s exciting to provide schools a field trip option that is not only free, but is also a quality program that emphasizes science and math in an informal classroom setting. Students have a great time applying their knowledge to real life concepts and enjoy hearing from our players, while also being introduced to the fast and exciting sport of ice hockey.”

The First Flight Field Trip is a one-of-a-kind educational experience that transforms Honda Center into an interactive classroom. This year’s program is entitled, “Discover the Puck,” where children will study the properties of a hockey puck and learn how it affects the sport. While using an official First Flight workbook, students will hear from Ducks’ players and coaches, who will help to explain mathematical and scientific concepts that influence the way the sport is played. Children and teachers alike will be entertained by on-ice activities that include lessons such as geometric angles, friction and goalie reaction time, as well as a skills competition featuring the entire Ducks roster. Players will be competing in such disciplines as hardest shot, shooting accuracy, fastest skater and the breakaway challenge.

In addition, the Ducks have teamed with outside educational organizations to present interactive exhibits that will be on display in the Honda Center parking lot from 8:30-10:30 a.m. Students will be able to participate in museum-type exhibits that will allow them to build on the concepts found in their First Flight Field Trip workbook and learn from Anaheim Ducks educational partners as the lessons in the workbook come to life.  The Orange County Department of Education; California State University, Fullerton; Chapman University; The Ocean Institute; 2K Sports; Mark Twain Elementary; and Cypress Elementary have all joined the Ducks in creating a more enriching program for all 15,000 students in attendance.