Over 10,000 youth experienced the Exploration Zone at the Volvo Ocean Race Newport Stopover in Rhode Island this week. US Sailing’s Reach Initiative featured Simple Machines from the Reach Curriculum. Kids explored the scientific concept of mechanical advantage used on sailboats.
Harken generously partnered with US Sailing for this event providing an interactive display where kids explore mechanical advantage through various purchase systems. The kids were then challenged to scour the stopover village on a simple machine scavenger hunt. One of their favorites is the 75mm winch on the Volvo 65s, a great example of a wheel and axel.
Ever wonder how a winch works or what it looks like inside? Check out the Harken Tech Team as they service all the Harken equipment on the Volvo 65s at each port.
Thanks to Sail Newport and Sailors for the Sea for all of their efforts in coordinating the Exploration Zone and to 11th Hour Racing and SCA for their sponsorship. The kids have been having a blast.
The goal of the Exploration Zone is to educate and inspire visitors to learn more about the sport of sailing, the ocean, and to discover continents and cultures around the world through the lens of this amazing ocean race.
Social media highlights from the event:
Jessica Servis of the @ussailing REACH program teaching kids mechanics 101 with help from #Harken!
