Innovative Thinking

Sometimes-–well, most of the time–working as a NOLS instructor and teaching in the field means being able to think creatively. Ben Lester, an instructor on the Semester on the Borders course, is a prime example. Having struggled with explaining the physics of sailing to his students in the past, he decided to get creative. He took on the project of building scaled models of NOLS Pacific Northwest’s keelboats, Sol Quest and Luna Quest to more easily demonstrate how the keel “works as a pivot point–turning the boat into or away from the wind depending on how the sails are trimmed”.

The green washer, indicates the hypothetical location of the “center of effort” produced by the direction and force of the wind. It can be moved aft or forward causing the boats to turn accordingly. The models were very effective teaching tools, both for their intended purpose, and for the demonstration of other sailing skills. Typical of NOLS instructors, Ben went above and beyond for the benefit of his students. Nicely done, Ben!