Minister of Transport Pit Stop

Let’s Talk Science was off to the races with federal Minister of Transport Marc Garneau when he visited London, Ontario on September 14. The Minister dropped in to see Let’s Talk Science’s Energy4Travel action project at Arthur Ford Public School and was joined by Formula F1600 race car driver Amy Castell.

Energy4Travel captures the attention and curiosity of students in Grades 8 to 12 and engages them as citizen scientists. Participating students collect and compare data with classmates and others across Canada about their personal transportation and energy use. Senior students at Arthur Ford compared their data with the Minister’s and were amazed to discover that the energy use and carbon emissions for space expeditions, per kilometre travelled, is significantly lower than typical earth-bound travel.

Minister Garneau also joined Let’s Talk Science Outreach volunteers from Western University as they engaged all of the school’s students in energy-related activities including experimenting with the trajectories of “pop-rockets” that use the chemistry of vinegar and baking soda to send film canisters skyward.

Let’s Talk Science has been bringing STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) learning programs and resources to youth and educators for more than 20 years, reaching more than 4 million people in every province and territory in both official languages. Our mandate is to help youth fulfill their potential and prepare for future work and citizenship demands in a world shaped by science, technology and innovation. Last year, over 35% of Canadian schools accessed at least one Let’s Talk Science program.