Let's Talk Science volunteers have a great time sharing their passion
February 7, 2013
Let’s Talk Science has a lasting impact on children and youth by providing free hands-on and minds-on science opportunities. Equally important is the enjoyment and experience our volunteers come out with. From writing articles for CurioCity to taking part in week-long outreach trips, our volunteers have fun while sharing their passion for science with youth.
An example of this is when five Let’s Talk Science Outreach volunteers from Dalhousie University travelled more than 200 kilometres to Lockeport, Nova Scotia, this past December to engage nearly 100 Kindergarten to Grade 6 students from Lockeport Elementary School in activities. The volunteers arrived prepared to share their passion for science and hands-on outreach and were amazed at the excitement and high level of interest from everyone!
“The rural trip was amazing! The school, the staff, and the kids were all so accommodating! The kids were so excited, and had so much fun! For the [Crime Lab] kit I don't think I've ever seen kids so excited to learn about fingerprints. We spent the whole hour just doing fingerprint activities,” explains Jenna, a Let’s Talk Science Outreach volunteer from Dalhousie.
Volunteers also led students with Magnet Madness and Super Science Challenge activities along with Sea Turtle Hurdles, a kit focusing on conservation and biology designed by Let’s Talk Science Outreach volunteers from Dalhousie University.
Another volunteer, Justin, shared his experience: “It was a terrific day! The principal and teachers were very helpful and super friendly. What a warm welcome! The Turtle Hurtles activity went great, the kids really enjoyed it. They had lots of questions about sea turtles and conservation too. The other activities were successful also - the Crime Lab was particularly popular as the kids were surprisingly huge fans of the show CSI!”
As this event shows, both students and volunteers alike are motivated and excited by our Let’s Talk Science Outreach Program!
Central Conference
January 25, 2013
Let’s Talk Science Outreach Site Coordinators in Ontario were busy this past weekend! Over 20 Site Coordinators met in Ottawa for the Central Regional Conference to share ideas, compare notes, and discuss common issues across the sites.
The conference, hosted by Let’s Talk Science Outreach Sites at the University of Ottawa and Carleton University covered a variety of topics such as volunteer recruitment, educator requests and retention, fundraising, CurioCity, and kit sharing. A session on FNMI (First Nations, Metis, Inuit) outreach which looked at examples of current programs and resources available was well received,
The kit sharing workshop was a fantastic way to showcase some of the popular activities being offered by sites. The kits covered a large range of topics such as genetics, biodiversity, space, a vortex, and how to make a burglar alarm! These activities used at individual sites were demonstrated and shared so that the activities can be enjoyed across all Outreach Sites.
In total, 15 Let’s Talk Science Outreach sites were represented with twenty-eight participants including national office staff and Barb Vanderhyden, Director of Let's Talk Science at the University of Ottawa.
Even with the drastic changes to the weather throughout the weekend from frigid temperatures, snow, rain, and back to crazy winds, everyone had a fantastic time connecting with and learning from each other.
In February, the Eastern and Western Regional conferences will be taking place and are sure to bring as much new knowledge and skills to the rest of our Outreach Site Coordinators.
Engaging Youth in Fort Severn
January 22, 2013
Earlier this month, Deanna Parker, a Let’s Talk Science Outreach Volunteer at Confederation College flew into Fort Severn First Nations in Northern Ontario. This trip allowed her to reach every class from Kindergarten to grade 8 at Wasaho School! Read below for Deanna’s first-hand experiences.
Fort Severn First Nations is located by the shores of Hudson Bay. The only ways into the community are by plane or winter road. As an alumni and volunteer of Let’s Talk Science Outreach at Confederation College, I jumped on the chance to visit this community and to do some outreach. On January 11, 2013, I visited Wasaho School to carry out a day of science activities with approximately 70 students. The younger grades dug for dinosaurs, made fossil footprints, and played with rockets, while the older grades tested their engineering abilities through flight design and bridge building. Great prizes were given away, and I was asked to not leave, ever!
The next day was filled with excitement as the children tracked me down for more science fun, and I was even invited to a birthday party! We made cornstarch goop, set off Coke and Mentos geysers, along with other flying contraptions….all in -33 degree weather.
My time in Fort Severn was much too short, but I plan to head back again this year for more science outreach!
- Deanna Parker
Let's Talk Science Outreach to Aboriginal communities is made possible by support from the Canada Foundation for Innovation and CIBC. Learn more about Let's Talk Science supporters here.
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