Students from Prospect Primary School got a taste of fame after spending an afternoon with celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson.

The students, who are enrolled in the Bermuda Education Network’s Horizons programme, were able to experience life in a busy kitchen during the visit to the Hamilton Princess & Beach Club where Mr Samuelsson recently opened a restaurant.

The programme consists of vacation camps and monthly expeditions to different locations where the children can try new activities.

BEN executive director Becky Ausenda said: “We’re very grateful to Marcus Samuelsson and his team for giving a whole afternoon to these children.

“BEN’s Horizons programme has been delivering high-quality summer camps using inquiry-based learning for more than five years.

“Last year we decided to add weekend expeditions so that we could keep in touch with the children year-round and promote expeditionary learning. It’s exciting that this strategy has immediately gained support from the community.”

BEN’s goal is to create additional opportunities for children who otherwise might not have access to these activities. It acknowledges the need for these kinds of programmes may be increasing due to the proliferation of technology.

Programme director Tracy Astwood said: “By placing children in a new situations and giving them scope to explore, we’re trying to cultivate an appetite for making discoveries and encouraging more active participation in the learning process.

“Most of the children need help to be better listeners, but I think we’re also seeing a decreasing ability in children to play and learn by themselves.

“Spending too much time playing electronic games probably tends to reinforce an expectation that they should be entertained.

“So we’re trying to counter that with a different message to children — don’t wait to be entertained or to have knowledge given to you. Go out and see what you can discover.”

Future expeditions include diving with the Bermuda Olympic diving coach, reef exploration with the Bermuda Zoological Society and nature walks with the Bermuda National Trust.

For more information on the Horizons programme or other BEN sponsored programmes contact Becky Ausenda at becky.ausenda@ben.bm