Students learn about gravitational waves through dance

Understanding gravitational waves discovered by the LIGO Hanford Observatory through dance, it's a unique idea that 14 students took on.

Back in November, the Hanford LIGO Observatory and Mid-Columbia Ballet approached Megan Beaujon with the Education Service District 123 in Pasco about the "Science of Dance" program. Beaujon says as part of the district's 21st Century Program they created the 6-week program, with two dance classes per week. The girls also went to the LIGO Observatory to learn more about gravitational waves.

"Some of our main goals are to increase the academic performance of our students through enrichment activities that support what they are learning in the school day, also a lot of our goals deal with growing in emotional and social learning," says Beaujon.

Most of the girls had little, to no dance experience, so Beaujon says it helped get them outside their comfort zone.

The girls from Highland Middle School will be preforming the dance as part of the free LIGO tours at 5:00 p.m., 5:15 p.m., 6:30 p.m. and 6:45 p.m. You can find more information about attending at their Event Brite page.

Grant money given to the school to support this program only last for this year, Beaujon says they are looking at ways to continue to program another year.