Final answer:
The PADI Swim School program's experiential learning activities are true to teaching students the effects of movement in water. Experiments with catching balls and hitting water demonstrate the principles of force and resistance, aligning with lessons on swimming techniques like diving and the butterfly stroke.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement in question is true. The learning activities in the PADI Swim School program are indeed designed to allow students to learn by experiencing the effects of movement in the water with limited holding or assistance from others. This hands-on, experiential approach helps learners understand the physics and mechanics of swimming, develop natural buoyancy, and become more confident in the water. For instance, when catching a ball with 'giving' motion versus with still hands, students can feel the difference in force and learn to apply similar principles to swimming strokes. Similarly, when hitting the water with a full palm compared to fingers-first diving, they would experience the effects of water resistance and learn the importance of proper diving technique to minimize impact.
During these activities, it becomes clear that a belly flop (represented by a full palm hitting the water) causes a large splash and can be painful due to the greater surface area hitting the water at once, while a dive (represented by fingers-first entry) is more streamlined and minimizes resistance, resulting in a smoother entry. These demonstrations reinforce the physics of swimming and guide students in learning the most effective methods for moving through water. As a result, orientations like the belly flop should be avoided for dives as they cause discomfort and are inefficient in terms of movement through water.