Some Grade 6 students at two Catholic elementary schools have received a unique lesson in history and science — all surrounding the restoration of Windsor's Streetcar 351.
Before school shut down for the March Break, ENWIN partnered with the Windsor-Essex Catholic District School Board for an educational event at St .Joseph's High School where the elementary students at two schools took part in six different stations looking at kinetic energy, mechanical energy, conservation and history.
At one station, students race small electric toy cars that they built, at another station high school students put on a small play about what life was like on board the 100-year-old streetcar being restored to go on Windsor's waterfront near Assumption Park.
Enwin Spokesperson Barbara Pierce-Marshall says Windsor was one of the first cities in North America to have electric streetcars and it's important for students to recognize that.
"We are also introducing them to scientific concepts, innovation, electricity, where electricity is going with electric vehicles now."
Teacher Consultant Cory McAiney says this also helps raise awareness of the restoration project.
"Most Windsor residents don't know a lot about it and not realize Windsor is the first city in Canada to have electric street car systems and that the SW&A went from Tecumseh, St. Anne's Church to the west end of Windsor and into Amherstburg."
McAiney says it's a fun way for the elementary students to learn.
"We want it to really be soak it all in, a lot of activity, their other seats, they are engaged, they are hands-on, they are learning, they are meeting people in the community, meeting some senior students, it is a great all around experience, that's what is great about it, it really hits all their senses and gives them a great experience and something memorable for them."
It is still not clear when the Streetcar 351 will be placed along the waterfront.
Streetcar 351 was built in 1918 in Cincinnati, Ohio.
It is believed it was purchased as a used vehicle in 1927 by SW&A which stands for Sandwich, Windsor and Amherstburg Railway.