Before their visit to Honda Center, schools got free materials from the Ducks S.C.O.R.E. Program. These materials introduced students to fun STEM topics like states of matter, heat transfer, and friction, matching this year’s theme.
Davis Magnet School in Costa Mesa sent 84 fifth graders to Honda Center for a memorable field trip. This was their first year with the First Flight program, and it made a big impact on the students.
Camila Jordan, an 11-year-old fifth grader, shared her thoughts: “It really helped explain things better because you could see it happening instead of just reading about it. And with the videos, it was more interactive.”
Summer Keller, a fifth-grade teacher at Davis Magnet, used the provided workbook to have her students create a mini ice rink in class. This hands-on activity helped them understand the states of matter before the big day.
“Experiencing this is so valuable,” Keller said. “In fifth grade, we face state testing, and this program aligns with our science curriculum. It gives them a chance to review in a fun way rather than just through textbooks.”
At the arena, students watched an Anaheim Ducks practice and became “ice engineers” for the day. DJ JoJo, Ally Kay, Wild Wing, and some Ducks players led exciting demonstrations that brought their workbook lessons to life. The new on-ice projections added an exciting visual element to the event.
Ducks forward Ryan Strome noted the importance of the event for the community. “We aim to create more Ducks fans, but it’s also about leaving a positive impact on the kids. They get to learn while having a great time.”
The day ended with a skills competition featuring passing and shooting accuracy challenges, along with a fastest lap race. Ducks players formed teams, and Team Black took home the win. As a fun finale, the players threw Ducks merchandise into the crowd.
Ducks defenseman Jackson LaCombe expressed his joy, saying, “The skills competition was fun. We loved the friendly rivalry between the teams. It was a great experience for us.”
Olen Zellweger, another Ducks defenseman, added, “Seeing the kids’ energy and passion was amazing. The practice and skills competition were highlights for us.”
